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THE 



HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES 



AND 



HUMEROUS ADYENTURES 



OF 



A Tolunteer in the Cavalry Service. 



B-Sr OnSTE OF THEIS/E 

WHO HAS DEEN UNDEK GENERALS GRANT, LEW. WALLACE, SQEEMAN, HALLECK, E0U8SKA0 
TBOMAS, AND KILPATEICK. 



> 



CINCINNATI: 

F. C. BROWNE, PRT., 8. E. COR. THIRD AND SYCAMORE ST8. 

1865. 



a; IT 



Eutered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, 

Br THOMAS W. FANNING, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. 



EUo| 

P^7 \ 



HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES 



AND 



HUMEROUS ADVENTURES. 



Doing a confectionary business #1^ in Cincinnati I found 
would not be as productive in the winter as was necessary 
to a person of family, and being- anxious to do something for 
my country, I was induced to join the 5th Ohio cavalry, at 
Camp Dick Corwin, on the 17th day of September, 1861. I 
joined company H, of Captain John C, who was shortly after 
displaced, when, like the balance of his company, I went with 
forty-five of them to Lexington, Kentucky, where we would 
have joined a regiment of cavalry, under our former captain, 
but that Colonel Taylor, of our first regiment, sent for us, and 
we returned in a few days thereafter, having been ordered to 
do so by some prominent persons in Frankfort. After our re- 
turn, we were placed under command of Captain P., a mer- 
chant of Cincinnati, who only remained a short time ere he 

resigned. Our first lieutenant, B. W. T n, was formerly a 

railroad conductor, and did, and still continues to do his busi- 
ness in a prompt and orderly manner. May all shoulder-strap 
men be of a similar disposition. In October we were ordered 
out to Camp Dennison, to which place we all ro5e, and fixed 
up our tents within a few hun-dred yards of the depot. A few 
weeks thereafter two of our companies got into houses built 



4 HUMEEOUS ADVENTUKES OF A TOLUNTEEK. 

there by carpenters, and there we were comfortably situated 
while we remained. Being a sergeant in company H previous 
to our departure to Lexington, I was appointed to Quarter 
Master McFarland's department, and issued, on order, all the 
clothing, blankets, and horse materials as long as we remained 
there. Assistant Quarter Master Robinson, who principally did 
all the writing, was a gentlemanly officer of immense knowl- 
edge, and remained with us a long time. He was with us 
through Tennessee and Mississippi^ and was always loved and 
respected by the whole regiment. May he always do well in 
this world and the next, we hope and pray. Camp Dennison 
is sometimes a pleasant place to reside in, but many of our 
boys were dissatisfied because there were several articles which 
they wanted and could not procure there. Consequently some 
of them were taken of " French furlouglis" to the city, and 
were sometimes guard-housed on their return, but were shortly 
afterward let loose by the colonel, who was very kind to his 
men, and hated very much to see them remain any length of 
time inside prison door#>WLt Camp Dennison we had plenty to 
eat, drink, and wear, and were only muddy in winter when 
walking around. Consequently we, as soldiers in camp, did 
excellently well. There are several groceries here, which 
places sell things very high, and therefore are not very well 
patronized. The owners are not as wealthy as they might be 
in other places. About this period, newspapers were scarce 
very frequently, and in order to obtain one, much loved and 
respected by all the boys of our regiment, I wrote the follow- 
ing piece of poetry and sent it to tlie Times, which published 
it on the afternoon of December 25th, 1801 : 

VOLUNTEER POETRY. 



Camp Dxnsisom, December 21, 1861. 
E'lUnrs Cincinnati Times: 

Gkntlemkn: As we have not seen mucb notice of ourselves, or our regiment, in 
your well-read and soldierly sheet, lately, we would humbly call your kind attention 
to the following scandalous productiou, perpetrated by a "sargint" in our company, 
who, though he strikes kernlij and with point at our failings, is, nevertheless, rather 
blunt in his opinions. We desire, however, kind sirs, that you will bless him with 
print, though he be d — d by the printers. 

Respectfully, gentlemen, 

CoiiPAKY H, 5th 0. V. C, U. S. A. 



HDMEKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 5 

A FEW LINES TO COMPANY H, FIFTH 0. Y. C, U. S. A. 



BT THE "3ABGIXT. ' 



Since sojers are noted, wherever they go, 
For frolic or fighting, are fast or are slow, 
And each individual s able to teach 
The gum or the grab game, within or 'thout reach; 
Can stock a canteen at a stand or a run. 
And prime, load, and fire, like a son-of a-gun; 
To pull from the sutler or henroost is willing; 
With/oemen or toomen is equally killing; 
Who's quick on the draw when he aims at an inn. 
But slow in presenting when asked for the tin; 
Who's fame, like small change, lies loosely about him, 
(The wag knows the world could wa^'- on without him;) 
Who pants for a breech in observance of law, 
Tho' d — d are the breeches he's pant-ing to draw. 
In ev'ry mad antic, the top, branch, and root. 
Hail! hail! fellow-sojer, we meet and salute. 
Whom first have we here? What, our orderly? Pond? 
The lines, my dear officer, you are beyond. 
What's out? Is the company on the " French" march? 
The laundress, Sam Howell, is she out of starch? 
The regiment's dead, if Dame Truth holds my fears. 
That Scofield and Allen are — drunk pioneers. 
Where's Oldiug and Munay? Both missing, you say? 
Then, bottles, I pity your bellies to-day! 
O, Davis, friend Sam, and Pat Dignan, so true. 
Are ye stagg'ring off 'thout a "feller ye knew? " 
And happy George Ludlam I always thought that 
You'd break me the brick you had whole in your hat. 
Farewell, John McCracken and Jim and Mike Mee, 
My spirits are gone with your spirited spree ! 
Not a Rum go is this — Jim left in the lurch 
By the Wansbros, Gin-u-wine members of church. 
This day sees me ylZe-ing since Adam forgot, 
And Webster, to bring me where they went — to pot ! 
And Overturf, Rice, and our bully dragoon, 
Ed. Brinkley, are now in some lager saloon, 
Mit swei hoondert lager mine stoomak to slake ! 
Oh, Smith, Olley Smith, bring back something to take. 
And King, our great blow-hard, our blacksmith, where's he? 
In scratching for whisky, he's itching to flea 
To Bacchus' blind court has our Cottman withdrew? 
Then Mars has but given the devil bis due. 
Let Venus preside where our Lawrence has fled, 
He'd rise from his grave being "seven weeks dead ! " 



nUMEKOUS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

Where's DoUiu, the Bowl'd Sojer-Boy? Is he gone. 

With his army of guards? Ochone ! and ochone ! 

And Brennun, our John*" JF'arc the d'lmlis he? 

Blur-an-ouns ! 't wasn't poteen he wint for, d'ye see? 

The devil, Lord save us, 't was prompted the tramp — 

For scamp'ring off, John, ye'r the divil's own schampF 

There's Appleby, too, he should be an instructor; 

Such conduct becomes not a railroad conduct-or." 

And Caldwell's called ill, at this juncture, I'd say, 

For tho' "there's no pitch hot, Old Satan's to pay." 

Where's Higgins' horse? He's not gone! have a carel 

Where Higgins' horse is, his master is there. 

And Johnson and Mayhugh, I'd take my best oath. 

No mudhole is curtained and spread over holh! 

Oh, Orderly, what's your advice that we do? 

Invoke the red spirits, the gray, white, and blue? 

Call out to the gods, with a Roman despair. 

And ask how our comrades are roamin', and where? 

The adjutant's coming! we'll tell him the story. 

And die like true martyrs, iu flame covered glory. 

Excuse me, good Orderly, but have you got 

A chew of tobacco? You say that you've not! 

Or whisper — come nearer — pray give me a dose 

Of that same liquid dye which painted your nose. 

All gone, you've remarked. Then why stand prating thus? 

The men are — abed, you inelegant "cuss," 

" They have not deserted then, Tom, as it seems?" 

Yes, they have departed, friend Pond, to their dreams. 

What, anger 'd! good sir; it was in mere sport 

I made this addenda to your "morning report." 

If first when we'd met you'd "presented " your flask, 

And "ordered" your quid, there had not been such mask. 

But frolic is ours, as I said at the first. 

And you're not of orderly sergeants the worst. 

Excuse, pray, the hand which invented this tail. 

And call me a. fence post whenever you rail. 

And so fair good night, sweetest dreams and repo.se. 

In seeking our couch we'll each follow — his nose; 

Yet, fearing the colonel might hear of the trick, 

I'll otr to the doctor, pretending I'm sick, 

And say our lieutenants, both gentlemen civil. 

Have ordered my physical ills to the devil. 

Or else to my captain, McFarland, I'll hie. 

And if there's small wool why there'll be but small cry. 

All's well; I've eichungod my old hoots for a blanket. 

Each covers a calf, fur which, Heaven, I thank it. 



HUMEBOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 7 

About the end of February we were ordered off, and there- 
fore departed to Cincinnati, getting on board steamers for Ten- 
nessee river, which we immediately accomplished, at the same 
time bidding farewell to all our friends and relatives who resided 
near by. Then we left the City of Cincinnati on six or seven 
steamers. Major Scherer, our hero in all military matters, com- 
manding the first battallion, Major Kicker the second, and 
Major Hayes the third. 

Our boat, the Bostona No. 2, not getting away until one day 
after the balance had left, on account of the lot of goods and 
horses we had to place on board ; we, however, managed to 
get everything fixed on her, and away she went down stream 
toward Dixie, like a good traveler, and we bade good-bye to our 
homes until we ended the war, which we expected to do very 
soon, but which we have not yet accomplished, as we expected 
to do at farthest in a month or two. 

Quarter Master McFarland was on board this steamer, and 
obtained cabin fare for "One of Them" clear through to Crump 
landing, where a portion of us, the third battallion, got off, as 
we were ordered to do by General Grant, and were placed under 
General Lew. Wallace, whose division was placed at this point, 
four miles below Pittsburg landing. 

General Grant is at Savanna, some five miles below Crump's 
landing, and from thence orders our men to certain positions 
on the river above him. Previous to getting this far up the 
Tennessee we stopped at a destroyed railroad bridge, and 
viewed it as a handsome place to remain at for a few days. 
We discovered, amongst half a dozen houses, one belonging to 
a rebel doctor, which was filled with medicine and books, and 
which the boys destroyed. For what other reason than that he 
caused the trying by a jury there of a Union man, and endeav- 
ored to have him hung because he was in favor, previous to 
our arrival, of the American flag and Government feeling, and 
was born and bred in the North. This doctor was said to be a 
poisoner and villain in every respect, and we found and im- 
prisoned him on board a gunboat, until wo could send him off 
to sotoe United States prison, as a rebel villain. We did so, 
and then proceeded on our way up stream, I feeling so good on 



6 5UMEEOI7B ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

account of one rebel capture, that I immediately wrote to the 
Cinciunati Times newspaper an account of our present pro- 
ceedings, and expecting the kind permission of permittal to 
write all the news I could to that friendly and accomplished 
paper whenever I could do so. 

The paymaster, Major McDowell, was on board our boats, 
and paid us off between the bridge and where we landed, which 
made the boys feel fine, because they could send by a United 
States Agent, who was at that time in company with Major 
McDowell, all their money home, if necessary. Many an one 
of us did so very gladly, and a better cash business never hap- 
pened us while we have been in the service as soldiers. Not 
once. 

March 10, 1862. — To-day we passed an elegant farm house, 
on the Tennessee river, at which all the darkies in the peighboi- 
hood seemed congregated, who spread their ivories, and what- 
ever rag of a hadkerchief or other thing they could raise as a 
token of welcome to us to Dixie, as it existed here. Just below 
there is a site [for a fortification, which seems a far more eli- 
gible position than Fort Donelson or Fort Henry, and, if ap- 
pearances do not always deceive, the rebels might have made 
a stand with far greater prospect of success than at the former 
positions. The woods along the river are very attractive here, 
not only in appearance, but because they shelter fat animals 
known in Porkopolis, and fowls, which seem to enjoy the grat- 
iMcation of shade and solitude in, this most critical period of 
their existence. 

. Near the river hills we see, as we advance, scouts of rebel 
cavalry calmly looking at our formidable appearance, and 
wondering, no doubt, at Yankee impudence in thus desecrating 
the sacred southern soil. Passed Brownsville landing at 9 
o'clock A. M. Kiverb anks low all along this morning. Some 
iifteen miles above here a bold rocky cliff, directly facing us as 
we advance, varies all the appearances considerably, it being 
the most prominent position we have seen along this river. The 
chain of hills here are large, and bear north and south, and 
these, nature's fortifications, principally composed of stonQ, 
completely command the river, up and down, for miles, ^ft^ 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTUKES OL A VOLUNl'EEB. 9 

why they are not now bristling with rebel cannon is one of 
the singularities of this war.*" No force, no matter how su- 
perior in point of numbers, could have been brought success- 
fully against this stronghold, and our bravery would, I feat, 
have failed to overcome a tolerable resistance of the enemy 
here. 

Our band is now playing the "Mocking Bird " on the hurri- 
cane roof of the boat, and as we pass along upwards the ne- 
groes, men, women, and children, hurrah for us, provided there 
are no white persons near them ; in fact, on both shores the 
blackbirds greet the music playing mocking birds and their 
companions with a hearty approbation, and we slide past in 
good feeling of mind and body, and think ourselves complete 
masters in every situation we have now, or shall hereafter ar- 
rive at in any slave position of this Union. 

Obtained a rebel bullet to-day from a sailor on one of our 
gunboats, who stopped at the same landing, and which was 
flattened against our gunboat at Pittsburg landing, and am very 
much obliged for the present, I am sure. 

Major McDowell is on board another boat going up, and has 
paid off the greater portion of our regiment. Colonel Taylor 
is indeed a generous man, who endears himself to all by every 
good impulse. His kindly nature overflows with honorable 
liberality. Just now he has made a soldier happy, who was 
unfortunately overlooked on the pay roll, and who, but for the 
colonel, would have had no funds to send his suffering family. 
The colonel presented liim with twenty dollars in specie, in 
order that he would send it with gladness to his wife and family. 
May God reward him! 

We saw General Sherman this afternoon, on the steamer 
Continental ; he is a noble looking soldier and a determined 
one, who will not belie his looks, or we are all much deceived ; 
the men with him seem to think very highly of his talents as 
a soldier, and his kindness as a man. May he ever remain eo, 
is all our hopes. 

4 o^ clock P. M. — We have just arrived at Savanna, which is 
a small-sized place on the left bank of the Tennessee river, 
and seemingly of very little importance in a strategic or other 



10 HUMEROUS ADVENTUSES OF A VOLUNTEEB. 

point of view. Twenty-ei^'ht steamers, filled with troops, and 
two gnnboats, have arrived here before us. Just previous to 
-a view ol' this place, we stopped at a secesh corn crib, and 
profited our liorses thereby^ 

We have lauded with several other steamers opposite to Sa- 
vanna, and our Zouaves are running round with cackling hens 
^nd uncrowing roosters undertheir arms, and one fellow is un- 
dressing a cock under its owners very window. This is not as 
it should be, but men are, some of them, untameable. The 
negroes seem well contented with their masters, and are prob- 
ah'y satisfied^ or seemingly so, at the present time, but they do 
;not care about mingling with some of us ; their good behavior, 
however, is possibly owing to the presence of several of their 
masters and our general orders for the time being. 

One of our gunboats started up the river this evening, to re- 
connoitre, and she only proceeded some five or six miles when 
she had a skirmish with a thousand or two of the enemy. She 
has returned to us unscathed, and we move up to attend to the 
gentlemen in the morning. 

March 12, 1S62.— We are here still, and, contra omnium ex- 
pectationem, hear no notes of preparation to-day, so far. Boats 
full of soldiers continue to arrive here, however, and we must 
now be at least fifty thousand strong. 

We laughed heartily to-day at the escapede of two infantry 
soldiers, who, influenced to possess a secesh chicken, addressed 
a slave woman, as black as Erebus, off"eriiig to purchase from 
her. The woman's "eh, eh," however, was a very energetic and 
.final negative, and the rebuked twain drew ofi" a sliort distance 
to consider the chances, while the slave entered the house 
to attend to three fine corn cakes browning beautifully before 
the fire. After the council of war, the two outsiders separated, 
one sneaking round to the back door, the other advancing boldly 
to tlie front; he again made proposals to buy from tlie wench, 
but again received decided refusals from Miss Dinah, who did 
not seem to be in M-ant of money at that time, -or from any such 
persons. Cunningly displaying the money, he seemed at least 
to excite the woman's cupidity to such a degree, that she paid 
but small attention to the cakes inside. At this moment tU© 



HUMEE0U8 ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 11 

other soldier entered the "back door, which was also open, and 
seizing upon the pones, he made tracks. The cakes, however, 
were warmer than he supposed, which led to his detection as 
the colored lady heard the noise he made in letting them drop, 
and so she ran to recover her lost property. The sojer was too 
quick on the grab for her, seized them again and got to the 
fence, pursued by the negress with her club in hand, until the 
fire in his rear becoming too hot, he was forced to jump sud- 
denly into the road, losing, by dropping, two and retaining one 
of the stolen cakes, with which he successfully made off as 
rapidly as possible. 

The other rascally partner, the front door talking man, swore 
at his friend, calling him thief, rascal, and all other obnoxious 
epithets he could think of, and finislied by advising the slave 
to run and catch the villain who took her cakes, and he would 
assist her in so doing. This she was foolish enough to do, when 
her adviser, strongly tempted, no doubt, by the chance offered 
to him, picked up the two corn cakes lying so very invitingly 
within his grasp, when he too made tracks and of course got 
away with his eatable plunder; 

We who were present were sorry for the poor woman, and 
yet we failed to restrain our laughter, when she returned and 
we observed her astonishment when she discovered the trick 
played upon her by the partner of the fellow who had entered 
the house and stole the cakes. Raising, (on discovery of the 
other one's absence,) her hands to heaven, she exclaimed: 

" Wal, dere ! ef dat oder Linkun man isn't gone and stole too ! 
Jes' as I spected he'd do, jes' as I spected ! Guess dey'd better 
come and take old nigger too, 'kase we might as well go now 
as any time. Dey'll take all any how." 

"Go 'long, white man," she said excite.dly to another United 
States soldier who pretended to condole with her. " You jes' 
as bad's de res', an' ef you kin fight de secesli same's you kin 
steal from de darkies, you'll need as many stearaboatis apiece 
as you all got here now, to convey to de Norf all do plunder 
you take off de niggas." » 

12 o'clock M. — Our regiment has received orders to mount, 
and all are busy in preparation. Sabres are hastily buckled on, 



12 HDMER0U8 ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

pistols and carbines are examined, horses saddled, and every 
thing- betokens war in reality. The Fifth O. V. 0. will see ser- 
vice now, as they are the vanguard of this imoaense army, and 
they will of course be the first to encounter the enemy, who are 
eaid to be in immense force a few miles distant from us here. 
Five Union, but Tennessee farmers have just come in and report 
the enemy but a short distance in the interior. These farmers 
have just escaped being pressed into the Confederate service, 
by running away and seeking our protection. One of these 
fellows who seems rather a young person, and is of tolerable 
good looks, seems to take it hard about the situation in which 
he left his wife and small family, and he talks as though jealousy 
existed in his thoughts to a large extent at the present time. 
His ideas of rebel actions are not very good, and his thoughts 
of a wife's treatment and her own conduct are not as good as 
a wise man would publicly express. 

4 o'clock P. M. — The whole of our force is ordered to ad- 
Tance in the steamers, and as I write this, a portion of us are 
moving up stream. 

8 a'' clock P. M. — General Lew. Wallace's brigade, accompa- 
nied by the third battalion of the Fifth O. V. C, started up the 
river, led by a gunboat, in order to reconnoitre for a fort held 
by the rebels, five miles above Savanna, at Crump's landing. 
We are almost certain of a brush, but go armed in a just caus0 
and fearless of consequences. We have arrived at our desti- 
nation, where we are to remain permanently with Wallace's 
division, the right wing of General Grant's army, while the 
main body is to go four miles farther, to a place called Pitts- 
burg landing. All are to await events in their encampments. 
May the enemy soon be here ; we wish to meet them and whale 
them as they deserve. 

Wallace's brigade is composed of the Eighth Missouri in- 
fantry, Eleventh and Twenty-fourth Indiana, Forty-fourth Illi- 
nois, and our third battalion of cavalry, beside other regiments* 
These J^re all good soldiers and are anxious for fighting and 
whippitig, wliicli we hope soon to accomplish. Our tents are 
up and we feel all right here, as this seems a nice place though 
nearly houseless. 



nUMEROUS ADVENTURES , OF A VOLUNTEER. 19t 

March IWi^ 1862. — Our battallion is already ordered out to 
service ; we are to burn two railroad bridges, twenty miles 
distant, on the Memphis and Charleston railroad, near Bethel, 
Tennessee. 

The boys started at 12 o'clodk last night, shown the way by 
Major Hurst, formerly a storekeeper in Furdy, Mississippi, and 
a born southern man ; but a Union person who has been badly 
treated by the secesh because his feelings were in favor of 
Unionism all the time. His store was taken from him, and. 
his family made prisoners until they retired to, and lived with, 
their relatives near by ; but Hurst fled in time and got to us 
soon enough. So he is safe enough though bold as a lion and 
brave as a bull-dog. 

11 o'clock P. M. — Our boys have started on horseback to 

destroy these bridges, company H, Captain T n, leading 

tlie van; but the weather is rainy and dark, and they have to 
go private ways to be successful in reaching the place and doing 
the duty they are ordered to do. Major Hayes commands them. 
The soldiers lost their.way in the woods as they advanced, and 
it took them about ten hours to reach the rebel scouts guarding 
the bridges, whom they immediately attacked and routed, cap- 
turing some nine or ten prisoners and thereafter destroying the 
bridges. While they were cutting away the second and last, a- 
train filled with rebel soldiers came along ; but the engiuecry 
seeing the 'danger of this locality, immediately stopped, and 
our soldiers had to get away soon, which they did without ios-i 
ing a man ; getting to camp by 4 P. M. next day.' ■ -..ui 

It was a good idea to destroy the transportation routes of the' 
secesh rascals, as they were in several places at that time, and 
the idea of keeping them where they were was a very good ono 
on our general's part. 

March 15, 18U2. — Our boys have again departed to finish the 
bridge-burning duties they have to perform, and went a distance 
of tl}irty miles from here, near where the enemy has, it is re- 
ported, a force of about eight thousand infantry and seven 
hundred cavalry. The remarks of our infantry upon the setting 
out of oiar boys that "th,ere goes i\\e green cavalry on a scout," 
was rather uncalled for ; and the result of «>ui' going away 



14 HUMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

Bhowcd very plainly that soraetimes the gentlemen on foot are 
neither "prophets nor sons of prophets." We retnrned after 
performances of duties whicli we, as well as the infantry, en- 
joyed on our return quite well indeed. General Smith highly 
complimented us, and in general order No. 4, gave the thanks 
of the whole division to ns, officers and men, for gallant and 
meritorious conduct. 

March 17. — The infantry are raising their tents on shore this 
morning, which is a good idea, sinbe the steamers have become 
dirty because of being overcrowded, and consequently are un- 
healthy. The water is also bad, as we have to make use of 
the Tennessee river as a spring to drink from, and it is loo muddy 
at present for any such business. In consequence of having to 
drink this water a great many of our soldiers have taken the 
diarrhoea, which was at first seemjngly of a mild type, but has 
become fatal in some instances here recently. We trust not to 
remain here a great length of time, to get rusty, like unused 
blades, for want of proper handling. 

What magnificent weather we are having the last two days. 
The birds arc entertaining themselves and us with sweet songs ; 
the trees are in bud and blossom, and in fact all animated na- 
ture except man alone is enjoying that peace, happiness, and 
Bwect repose their Lord and Maker intended them for here on 
earth. 

March 19. — What a mournful sight is a soldier's funeral ! 
Some poor fellow is being carried to his 'last resting place this 
morning by his comrades, witli reversed arms, slowly marching 
to solemn music, with grief depicted on their countenances! 
Alas! how many of tiiese brave fellows now full of life and 
health, may fill a grave on the banks of the Tennessee ere they 
leave it! The remark of Captain Carroll, of the steamer J. B. 
Ford, on observing the procession, that "the water of this river 
would send many more of us the same road, if we stayed here 
much longer," strikes us, like one of Cicero's orations, as being 
forcible, and much to the ])oint. Why are we kept here idle? 
The general commanding this brigade has ordered the men on 
Bhorc, in order to give them the benefit of pure air and spring' 
water, wliich, if accomplished, will certainly lessen the tendency 



HUMEKOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 15 

to disease amongst ns, and probably induce this Tennessee 
looseness to relieve us of its presence. A portion of our bri- 
gade, composed of a few companies of infantry, completely 
surrounded one hundred rebel soldiers last night and tookthera 
all prisoners. We are to go out scouting again shortly after 
dinner. Eight hundred additional rebel prisoners parsed us 
here to-day j they were taken by Smith's division some miles 
beyond us. Immediately thereafter we went out scouting, com- 
manded by Major Hayes. 

8 o'clock P. M. — We have just returned from our foray, and 
a glorious one it was, not so much from its benefit to the cause 
perhaps as to our personal gratification. We left our camp, at 
Crump's landing, at 1 o'clock P. M., and along an excellent 
road to Adamsville, five miles from the river, where the rebel 
cavalry reported four hundred strong, (fifty more than ours,) 
had told the denizens in a boastful manner, that they would meet 
us to-day and drive us to h — 1, or some other sea-poit; but the 
lads of the South took good care to be out of the way when we 
arrived ; consequently we thought we would pay them a home 
visit in a civil sort of a way, and so kept on close to Purdy, 
where five regiments of rebel infantry divide their quarters 
with those boastfully chivalric riders who failed to meet us 
where they represented they ^^ould. Three miles this side of 
Purdy we met the first armed rebel pickets, whom wo drove 
in in company with their confreres, and captured some of them 
in sight of their whole army. We halted on top of a hill in 
full view, and within a mile of Purdy, which latter seems to be 
a place of some consequence. It is well situated in a valley, 
and excellently built for a small Tennessee town. Here we 
beheld the whole rebel army as they came on toward us in a 
double-quick; and a fine sight it was. They were apparently 
well armed and drilled, and were headed by a gallant looking 
general officer who seemed quite in earnest, until he saw the 
buckeye eye-balls, which had the efiect to cove his present 
ardor, and he therefore ordered a halt, while we, too few to 
face so iriimense a force, after firing a couple of rounds, slowly 
and in good order retired unmolested ; never even going as fast 
as a trot until we reached our camp again. The only loss we 



16 nUMEKOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTKEE. 

met with was in horse flesh, Lieutenant Murray's animal, a 
noble brute, being- killed in the picket fight. Our gallant fel- 
lows seemed soldiers born, and knew not their present vocation 
until they saw and encountered the enemy. 

The inhabitants of the country we passed through yesterday 
are much divided in opinion on this war. The greater number 
strongly avow Union principles and wish for peace and frater- 
nity again. The few opposed to these sentiments are bitterly 
prominent, and take every way to injure those whom they 
suspect to favor peace on any conditions whatever. 

One poor old man whom Ave met yesterday at Adamsville,; 
told us that his only son, a youth eighteen years of age, had 
been forced, on pain of death, to join the rebel Captain Piatt's 
Company of cavalry, and made to assist in the robbery of his 
own father and his neighbors of their corn, fodder, and pro- 
visions. He (the old man) begged us, with tears in his eyes, 
to inform him if Piatt's whole company was not captured at 
Savanna yesterday by a portion of our army. We told him 
we believed they were, and that if his son was amongst them, 
he, the father, could get to see him by an application to the 
commanding officer, which gratified the old man intensely, and 
he limped away, (for he was lame, poor soul,) after distributing 
all the tobacco he had with him amongst us, at the same time 
blessing our noble cause, and all concerned in upholding it. 
lie was only too happy to know that his son was safe in our 
hands, and he said he would make his little household happy 
when he got heme witii the intelligence he had received from 
us. 

The country along our route was composed of a sandy, but 
in some places a well watered soil, which must, if well culti- 
vated, be productive in corn, potatoes, and fruit, which we had 
some strong evidences of as we went along. The people seem 
well to do, and would be undoubtedly happy in peaceful" times, 
as they are comfortably housed, cleanly, and healthy at this 
date. 

When Peace smiles upon a bountiful land how happy are 
its people ! how much to be envied, and how great our Father 
iu Heaven should be glorified I But when a nation, against 



HIIMER0U8 aDVENTlTBES OP A VOLUlTrKEai IT 

the dictates of humanity and the commands of the Supreme 
Being, engages in war against each othei^,' brother against 
brother and father against son, then the lessons of life can 
be gathered from every hill top and valley in the land. 
May this soon end, and southern men again acknowledge thei* 
duty to the flag of our whole country. 

General Smith has just issued an order making it death to 
steal, or carry away unpaid for, the property of any person! 
whatever, and intends enforcing it strictly. This is as it should 
be. What right have we to take and carry away the goods of 
otliers? One of the beneficial effects resulting from this order 
was apparent the other day, and saved the innocent females 
in an elegant mansion near our camp. The matter was this : 
A doctor of seccsh proclivities, on the approach of our troops, 
fled to the rebel camp, leaving everything behind him, evea 
his wife and daughter, (the latter a beautiful young lady of sev- 
enteen, highly educated and accomplished,) to the mercy of 
the invaders. Our force pitched their tents in close vicinity to 
their residence, and hearing of this shortly after, a parly con- 
sisting of twenty or thirty soldiers, proceeded at once toward 
the place, in order to raze the house to the ground and plunder 
it of its contents. 

''On the first appearance of our fleets, the ladies, being de- 
serted by the husband and father as before state<;l, made prep- 
arations fur immediate departure, and had packed some portion 
of the household goods when the noisy, riotous crew arrived, 
intent on the work of destruction. They commenced operations 
by breaking in the front door to the extreme fright of the 
women and their colored people, and seizing the piano and 
other elegant articles of furniture, with loud shouts and despite 
the tears of the trembling ladles, carried them off toward the 
door, intending to deliver them to the tender mercies of that 
portion of their party remaining outside. At this moment one 
of our cavalry teamsters, named' Perkins, attracted thither by 
the noise, now stood at the door, and, remonstrating with the 
ruffians, begged them, for the sake of their own mothers and 
sisters at home, to desist. This gallant fellow would then have 
met with harsh treatment, but that an oflicer casually passing 



X$ HUMEEOU8 ADVENTDKE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 

the house ft( this time, came to Perkins's assistance, and com- 
manded the felli/ws to disperse, which they did \cry grnm- 
bliugly; and a guard being placed at the door relieved the 
inmates from farther molestation. The order of our general 
inflicting the death penalty lor any similar outrage in future, 
has frightened the rowdy portion of our men into quiescence, 
and has placed a wholesome restraint upon all evil-disposed 
pnes we are cursed with. This looks like civilized warfare, 
and fanatical pulpit thumpers and bigoted men will discover 
that brave men enlist to tight the battles of their country and 
no^. to rob, plunder, and destroy. 

March 22. — One of 6ur lientenar|^8 shot a colored servant 
yesterday, by accident. These frequently recurring accidents 
are uncalled for. There are too many gentlemen in tliis army, 
and too few poor individuals. The fir&t draw extremely liberal 
pay, and commit accidents often and criminally; the latter 
small wages, considering they are often the head and ahvays 
the arm of a squad, company, or, perhaps, even a battallion. 
The killed servant's name was John Curtis. He formerly kept' 
a barber shop next door to Reinlein's drug store, on the corner 
of Eighth and Freeman streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

March 23. — We have had large, additipns made to onr forces 
here, until we are now nearly, or quite, seventy thousand strong. 
General Smith commands. He is a fine, genial looking man, 
and is as Ifriendly arid conversable as any shoulder-gilt gentle- 
hian in the army, and is undoubtedly the idol of his men, who 
leave all knotty issues to their general, and his decision is al- 
)vays satisfactory, justifying the appeals they often make to 
iiim. His affability is never at fault, and proclaims mote for 
him. than his compeers (many of them) can boast, so i'ar. 

,! liebel armed and unarmed men are coming into this camp 
every day ill squads as many as twenty, but more frequently 
(rem four to teu, and claim onj"! protection, or join our army at 
pnce; In fact tliey nearly, or quite, all join at once. They are 
pertainly welcome. This proves how true is the principle up* 
Jield by those in power, that the Constitution should remain 
unaltered, and all men have their just rights as heretofore, in 



HUMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEKBi 1ft 

property of ^all kinds, held as well inl ithe/Saa^h as in the 
North. no iQiiir.Dob a i<. d 

* Two of our boys were speaking td-day about politics. One 
was a democrat and. the other a republican. They were 
arguing strongly on political matters, and finally came to blows, 
because the democrat tliou'glit the Pi'esideht of the United States 
wise in appointing Scott, Stanton, and Bates as council friends, 
and put-ting out of oflice friend Simon Cimeron, for good rea- 
sons and. excellent judgement, , 'Tile figiit! W'a,s,''h6H\^M6r,' shol-^, 
and ' one oif tlie sutlers'' sliopV'closed,' by e'ntertdimneht, tH6' 
wor4s and blows of both democrat and republican. They 
Irusited tp end the figl.t ahortty wh*6ri ttiey 'cornmenced it, as 
til ey will the w:ar,now going on 1)etw'ech No'rlh arid South 
We all hope they are a^ true in the latter wish as they were in 
the former '*"' ''^'' >'< X.n« jlduotj ixll lIji>,Bw ahlT .ebiight 

I am ordered this afternoon to Pittsburgh lartding, which is 
foitr miles up the river from here, in. order to obtain clothing, 
fi-om ona- quartermaster there, fur the Teflii^e,<;ai«$iWUftn^ils^^ 
have lately obtained here as recruits. ,; iDin loc^jtf;-?) yi^-. ;n;j 

^'4 P. J/!— Have'ki-i-^v;ed, aWd'arri takeVi i^ si^w^gon to Shiloh 
(Cnnnch, near which place are the principal quartei-s of our reg- 
iment. Troops are encaniped. all along on both sides of this 
rough road, and se'era quite a.t home enjoying themselves gaily 
in all sorts of innocent amusements.' They look in fur better 
health than our poor boys below. Wiiether they will, in con- 
^C^quenCe, ^^A^ better, remains 'to be jJroved.' They did quite 
well yesterday, however, on a scout. They had been 'Ordered 
to examine the road tOwarcI Corinth, and Hvent so close to the 
enemy's pickets, unexpectedly, as to capture General Menks 
^nd iiig otderly sergeant, whb Wicr6 both ' 'i^hngTy bhfecohsed afr 
t^ie' house of the former, they not having the' slightest id^tl- 
tliat the 5th O. Y. C. were so close and so impudent as to lay 
theiV sa'criltgious ^iand8"ori'fhe sk'eted perseft of d'^^fi^at 'r^fe^ 
general. They alsc*) obtaihed soine forty-fiVe bales of cottob^ 
one ton of powder, some valuable fodder and grain; also a su-'' 
perb horse, owned -by fhie afdresEtssid geti^i-al. Who WiTTidehial 
JkMy now in close' quarters, rather than cdrifiriem^nt to horse 



20 BUMKEOUS ADVENTUEEar )&ff A; aT^LUNTEEB* 

flesh at large. Wonder whether hiB prefers a canter now (Wj 
horseback or a decanter on foot. ,/^ 

The rebel general's house is a very iine looking domicile, 
and is well situated here ip. rebeldora. There are some fine 
looking females about the premises who seem to think too 
much of the position now occupied by them. One of the 
ladies was rather talkative at the time of our appearance; and 
very demonstratiyj^ ip ,regard. to morals possessed just then. 
One of our men seemed dry, and asking her, as she stood in a 
door, to please give him a drink of water, she, using chewing 
tobacco in manly style, sent a spit at him which struck his face 
80 evenly and nicely that he tlianked her for so much kindness 
in furnishing him a drink that she used herself, and went oflt 
amid the laughter of his companions and the jokes of hi^ 
friends. This was all the trouble any of our boys had, however, 
in this scout, and they returned to their camp, shortly afterward, 
in great good humor. • uai-y([v, >ai\ 

' Generals Grant and Sherman are both here, near to Shiloh 
church. The former is in command of ns all, who amount to 
seventy thousand men now, and probably more. The steamer 
Tigress is the m^il boa^ frop Savannq, to Pittsburg landing, and 
is now waiting at the latter place to bring General Grant back 
to the former place, where many pretty girls reside, some of 
whom made acq^uaintauce, with our leading officer when wo first 
arrived. These pretty maids are sisters to a rebel officer, and, 
though they talk, very well to pur generals and their aides-de- 
camp, they bedieve in , sputhern views, , n^ore, f trongly t,ha,a v^ 
Northern matters. 

March 25.— To day wrote to the Cincinnati Times, a good, a 
tro^, andweUvliked paper. General Smith, reviewed several 
regiments this morning, and seemed greatly pleased with theii^ 
appearance and performfinces. They were a splendid body o| 
men truly, and he who can. not view them with a glow of pat- 
riotic emotion filling his breast, must be either an imbecile or^ 
a traitor. Sa^y two or three pencil scratchers,on horses, taking 
notes. Tliey seemed like crows in a spring cornfield — ready tQ> 
peck but uuable to find sufficient to feed on. ly/o' o-io f dioa 
Returned by steamer to Crump's landing, which isbecomingi 



HUMEBOUS AbVENTUEES OE A VOLUNTEEB. M 

tihlie^lth}^ as a day scat-fcfe^y passes without lessenini^ this nhtii- 
ber of our poor fellows. To-daj I met a soldier, bareheaded 
and barefooted, weeping violefltly and wringing his hands ia 
beeming despair. His only brother had just died in the pest- 
nouse, of small pox, and this devoted- relative, who had waited 
bews oi him daily at the hospdt)^! door, had biit now rbeen told 
of his death. He seemed almost crazed, and his heart wrung 
goaus and piteous exclamations would have drawn tears from 
the hardest hearted. We are tnakiog a gi^Ve yard in sight of 
the river, at the top of the landing, which is fast becoming of 
large extent. It was hdre the body of this young mart's brother 
was plEkied?'<^''^''4f'' ' ^^^''" h'lM'i; 'nI ■',^u<I ,lliil a inntb oUi^'irfia 
To day three members of' out battalMon^ w^re captured neat 
Adamsville, where they were standing guard, and the balance 
were compelled to retreat a short distance ks the rebels wei^ 
six to one of our cavalry; and they retreated, too, in a short 
time, as all oiir force Weiit to 'hunt them tip- J)ri6tty ^B«on -ftftep- 
^ard, ii:ut yiiih.'hii 'to -i /h ihtiii;,' vii-,. .■.>'."■:! 

We have some geniiises in our company who are worthy of 
notice, and I shall treat' of their pe^i^liliarities frequently. One 
of them, Patrick D— — ^n by name, by birth a native of Con- 
naught, is one of the hnrrierous souls in our (^rO-Wd,' and creates 
many a laugh by his knave expressions and droll stories His 
futid is never exhausted, and he rains the hot shot of wit upon 
lis odntinuallyi He ite a brave fe'How,''6od,'and e6ld as an ice- 
berg under fire. Instance the other day When we had chased 
the rebel pickets intd their camp, and there we stood upon the 
hill top watching thei'i- whole army as th-ey came on at us in & 
double quick. Pat, whos6 horse is rather sh'^^ 'iri' the fbr^ 
legs, cried out as we started back: ; ; . > , i 

" Well, boys, divil a day's luck iver I'll have after losing- thife 
JBlie chance at that rebel gineral there beloAV.'' ■• "'-'ii" i"'2 uu 
- '^ What chance ?" asked one of us who "did n't¥e^'it>' '^'•' 
ii it. vVhat chance, do ye ax me, is it," he exclaimed turning a 
laughing eje at all the company about him.'' " What chan6e^ 
ye loprehauns; 'why thin I'll tell ye sifice ye are sich blind 
divils as not to see ityerselves. You obsarve that rebel ginoral 
coming up atug thin,'do'yo^ti?' Very Well! bow look you ado wn 



^ HUMEROUS ADVENTD;:RES, JOF. A yOLUNTEEB. 

on this baste annuntlier me ; tjp ye see tliim both ? You .dp ? 
Very well. Now if my horse, instead of being a half coueirj 
or so, wiis alfiill blooded kangaroo, and 5I was down behind 
that cocked iiat rebel villain, could n't I bate him siventy-iive 
yards in a liundred up any hill in America ; an' take him, an' 
his soord, an', ail that he has on him, as gay as he looks? tell 
me that now." ,: . : i .!• ,1 . -i ; j 

And Fat looked triumphantly around him, as if to cl^alJengQ 
a contradiction to his as^ertion^JV-hich no one venturing to ofler^ 
3r*at clinched his argument by remarking: 

-"Fjomthe lingth ol^ a.kapg^roo'^ hind legs he'd be hard to 
navigate down a hill, but," he added with emphasis, "I'd d-ciy 
■the divil himself to a fair racfe m;? onei" »,;. - ., 
• , We have just had another grand review; this time the whol^ 
idivision is out^ and a magnificent sight it is. What a fine array 
our one battallion of four hundred horsemen make at the head 
£tt thisiiue looking body of meiji. Tl^en comes two batteries of 
guns, alter which six regiments of infantry march around and 

ido permanent duty to all. ijeceived;Order$»o_' grno?, o^&d -iV/ 

March '2'd. — Five hundf;.d cavalry, called' the Curtis horse^ 
arrived yesterday from' St. Louis, pn the A. M. McDowell, 
IjLhey have b,^'e<i a short time at Fort Henry, and arc well drilled 
flien seemingly. Oqe ol them, a private soldier who seemed 
jovial over his acjlvance into Rebeldom, so much so that _he 
.wrot|e;home;,tq the effect th?iit when he next wrote homCjjhi? 
friends and neighbors had better be ready to remove to Dixie, 
as he already had a plantatioij, >vith a big stock of . negroes^ 
.picked out for /Qach/ofithepi; ^that the unmarried young nien 
had better remain so awhile, as the young seccsh girls were Ht 
to tie to and anxious to solve such knotty questions, and were 
vTyi^Vijng tO; tie ,<pbedient to :apy,pf,itl»e mudsill fellows who came 
on and offered themselves up without loss of time; some, of 
the belles, are seemingly q.uite willing tp be wrung in^token of 
joy at , our approach, in BOpae instances; and in such cases, if 
true, if feinalcH were fortresses, a short siege and plenty of 
amunition would be all the articles required to render them 
defpnce|le,^s„ and willing to, immediately come to proper terms, 
So,muc|).(oi; the Curtis horseman, ,>vho may be a logician or 



HTJMEEOrS ADVEXTUBES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 23 

otherwise ; but " if so, why so ? " as Captain Cuttle says in a 
wise way or remarkable manner. :: 

Transportation here has become hard to obtain unless to par- 
ticular persons; and those having control of these matters dis- 
play considerable favoritism in many cases where it is neither 
requisite or desirable. It is sometimes called military necessity, 
etc. Bully for the necessities with shoulder straps ; they some- 
times talk as if becoming impoverished in the prosecution of 
this war. A special law for their benefit, and to secure their 
creditors, ouglit to pass both Houses without a dissenting voice, 
for their sure future and immediate good. "Let her rip; who's 
afeard!" i) ov/l .fjmt oliv/ «niT>Ttrte aUi h; >e blnoo od ffon 

March 30. — Our boys are on picket dnty every night, and are 
pretty severely tasked, having camp duty also to perform. The 
general routine is included in the following: b o'clock A. M. — 
We rise, wash, and prepare for roll call. 5.30. — Koli call, feed 
and curr}' horses. 6. — Breakfast, dean sabres, guns, pistols, 
accoutrements, etc. 10. — Drill on foot till 12, 2 F. M. — Com- 
pany drill on horses until 4. 4. — Battallion drill. 5:30. — Dress 
parade, after which supper. These, together with other duties 
such as acting orderlies for general officers, obtaining provisions 
for the men &,nd forage for the horses, keep us pretty busy, 
and If^ave us very little time we can call our own. We manage', 
however, to get through very well, and often with a degree of 
alacrity very commendable in newly raised troops. .Yfiv/« Jo^ 

April 4, 1862. — On account of illness my journal skips over 
the intervening week, nothing worthy of record has transpired, 
except a few slight skirmishes in which we have been but 
partially engaged. The recent boldness of the enemy seems 
to predict a warm future for us, and a strong determination on 
the part of the foe to contest our farther advance into the inte- 
rior. 

Our battallion is camped close to two great fighting regi- 
ments, the Eighth Missouri and the Eleventh Indiana, whose 
morals are, by many said to be none of the best although their 
bravery is undoubted. The Eighth Missouri, especially, arer, 
without doubt, as a body, pretty hard customers to deal witk 
any way you take them ; and are in no way tender in regard to 



24 HDMEROUS ADVENTDBE3 OF A VOLUNTEEB. 

the feelings of others. They play poker with curious success 
all over the camp, and deplete the pockets of outsiders who 
engage tliem with cards or dice in short meter. A fellow be- 
longing to the Eighth Missouri, a private, known among his 
comrades as *'Eed," (probably from the color of his hair,) was 
guilty of rather a mean trick to day in the presence of a crowd 
gathered around a chuckaluck board — and chuckled finely at 
his own meanness. A sick soldier, injQuenced b}' the pretended 
good luck of the "ropers in" around him, was induced to stake 
his little means on the figure six, and he won. Placing the 
whole amount in his vest pocket, he started away saying that 
now he could send his suffering wife and. two children at home 
enough to keep them from starvation until next pay day. He 
was accosted hy Red, who, failing to induce him to " try his 
luck again," deliberately robbed the poor fellow by picking his 
pockets and running off with his ill gotten booty ; and this, 
too, in plain view of the congregated gamblers and lookers on 
present at the time and place. 'Ihe plundered man immediately 
■discovered his loss, and pursued the thief, who dodged behind 
a large sutler's tent, but was pointed out and stopped, when he 
boldly denied the theft, and pulling off his coat offered tight to 
Ihis weak man, who was wholly unable to defend himself. Red 
being a sort of shoulder hitter by profession, and well known 
as such by all our array, of course bantered in vain, and so he 
got away. We never heard if the offender was brought to any 
account for this action, but do not think he was. 

There are some gentlemen in the Eiglith Missouri, who are 
much disgraced by having villains of this fellow'^s stamp in 
any way connected with ihem, and who would undoubtedly use 
every endeavor to bring to merited justice so mean a 'scamp, 
wore the matter properly made known to them. 

April 5, — There is a report current in camp to-day, that the 
flecosh are in strong force between us and Corinth, and that 
our skirmishei's have had several small lights in the last ten or 
twelve hours with the rebel advance guard. We wonder if 
it is possible they daro advance and attack us in force sufficient 
to give us all a ciianco fi)r glory., We hope they will dare it, 
ftud receive their just desserts at our hands. We will grant 



HUMEKOUS ALVENTDRES OF A VOLUNTKEB. 85 

them the earliest opportunity they desire to try the "mudsills" 
on. The boast that one fire eater can whip five Yankees in a 
fair fight, includes, of course, all the men from the free States. 
We westerners, poor devils, being too insignificant in their 
estimation as soldiers, are not, of course, taken into any con- 
sideration by these heroes of the South ; and the only reason 
why we have been so long permitted to desecrate the "sacred 
soil " with our hated ])resence, is probably because the chiv- 
alry, being baturaliy the politest, bravest, ga3'est, most h.eroic, 
generous, lively, whole-souled, truthful modest, and generally 
and promiscuously tremendous humorists a wondering, admir- 
ing world has (iter humbly looked at from alar, are only wait- 
ing to send their Beau-regards to us ere they feast us on their 
butternuts. Their hospitality shall be reciprocated ; let them 
supply the meal and we will furnish the dessert to them, ^«ot 
to be outdone in politeness, we agree to accompany the gen- 
tlemen back to the place they came from, and attend to some 
of their aff"airs gratis. Let them come when they will, the 
sooner the. better. The mudsills are quite anxious to tender 
thera a grand reception, the warmth of which will probably 
surprise them, whether agreeably or otherwise this deponent 
eayeth not. 

We were separated permanently from the first and second 
battallions of our regiment some time since, and we, the third 
battallion, are now with the brigade of General Lew. Wallace, 
with Avhom we have considerable duty to do. The men here 
continue to suffer from diarrhoea and fever, and are dying quite 
fast. We have not a sulficient force of doctors to attend to 
them, and no regular hospitals. Stores for the sick are likewise 
very scarce. If all the army is similarly fixed then our wonder 
will cease at so many fatal kormihations to diseases which, 
under ordinary circumstances, are of easy cure. We should be 
supplied, by every loyal State, with a corps of nurses and 
such other necessaries as the sick require. It will be a sad 
hour to many a poor fellow who falls wounded on the field, 
unless we are supplied with these desirable articles. But no 
matter. We will leave our destinies to fate, and say no more 
in regard to this matter.^ 



26 HDMEEOUS ADVENTDKES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

We sta^^ed out this afternoon, and arrived at Adamsville, 
where, for the Jirst time, we saw two or three pretty girls who 
reside in the place. They, on the occasion of our previous 
visit, being so shy or Unionistic that they would not show us 
how sweet and good looking they were. Now with the sweet 
1 — bitter also — predominating in tlieir faces we escaped heart- 
whole. 

The very handsomest girl, however, in this neighborhood is, 
I am happy to say, as strongly in favor of our noble cause as 
lier female neighbors are opposed to it. Her brother joined 
our company some days since, and is as good a member as is 
in the company. His name is McQuirter. He has unfortu- 
nately been somewhat ill recently. To-day he was visited by 
his aister. Miss Mary, the young lady I speak of, which resulted 
in the unconditional surrender of all the unmarried young men's 
hearts who saw her. Wliat a small thing will sometimes 
change a man's opinion. Yesterday our boys thought this 
paat of Tennessee the vilest portion of the world, and swore 
tiiey would not be compelled to live in it for the wealth of the 
Indies. Today, since they saw one of the faries of this wil- 
derness, (Miss Mary,) they all, to a man, vow that a hut even 
here, with Miss Mary as the presiding deity, would be happi- 
ness beyond comparison, and an abode fit for nothing less than 
the gods. 

Speaking of Miss McQuirter reminds us of the story of Kin- 
caid's loss. lie is a near neighbor to the father of the lass, 
and is the owner of a large flour mill in close vicinity. Kincaid 
htas been badly treated by his rebel friends, and he determined 
shortly to cut his military acquaintances, one of whom, General 
Cheat luim, (who seems, in this instance,,to have been a cheat 
'em by nature as well as by name,) certainly deserves this de- 
sertion by Kincaid. The facts in regard to the case are the 
following: 

Kincaid, who was wealthy previous to the rebellion, used to 
be an intense lire eater. Since, and probably before, the war 
broke out, he not only voted for the ordinance of secession 
himself, but influenced others by every means in his power to 
do the same, and to swear to use all the means and money ia 



HUMEKOUS ADTENTUBES OF A VOLUNTEEE, 87 

their command if necessary tq support the cause. For this 
Kincaid recieved much praise t^ud conimendation at the time, 
and of course became a very distinguished person in the esti- 
mation of his fellow traitors. " Talk then was cheap," but 
Jack found out very soon that "it always takes money to buy 
whisky." The war first being off at a distance, he could talk 
and swagger away to his heart's content. Bye-and-byc, how- 
ever, along comes General Grant and his patriotic Ibrces to 
Pittsburg landing, and so, too, comes the rebel force under 
Cheatham, who encamped at a proper and safe distance from 
us, and in Jack Kincaid's close vicinity, which led to the thing 
about to be narrated here. , 

The rebels, it seems, fell somewhat short of flour and other 
necessaries of army life, shortly after their arrival, and so a 
couple of hundred of them paid jthe mill a visit in the absence 
of its owner, who was even then on his way to pay his respects 
to General Cheatham. The rebels, of course, thinking it all 
right, proceeded to luad tlieir teaois and horses with as much 
of so noble an adherant's flour, corn, and fodder as they could 
possibly carry away. With their forage they made off leisurely 
to their camps, exultant lat the near prospect of so glorious a 
feed for man and beast, and gratified that they were the first 
recipients of the notable generosity of the amiable and devoted 
Jack. They were met on the road, however, by the owner, who, 
all unconscious of the wrong they had done him, and being 
highly pleased with the very favorable reception he had n,^ei 
with from their general, greeted them with a smile, and wished 
them every success in all their undertakings and passed on 
unsuspiciously towards home, singing Dixie as he went. Tho 
tune was quickly changed when he arrived and was informed 
of what had happened during his absence. Jack, who was 
anything but piotis, was said to be awful in his anger, and he 
fully sustained his reputation in this instance, a3 he was the 
author now of some twenty odd, and herctofore.unheard, ciaths, 
with unmentionable maledictions in his paroxysm, of rage an(i 
despair. i 

Be this as it jna^^. Jack, foaming with .wrath, remounted his 
steed and bade his astonished friends prepitre to hear of the 



28 nUMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER; 

Complete destruction of the whole plundering party on his re- 
turn. He s^t spurs to his horse then, and never slackened liis 
pace until he was ao-ain in front of Cheatham's headquarters 
and ordered to halt by the guard. Kincaid liad no other idea 
but that this functionary, on being placed in "possession of all 
the circumstances of the robbery, would order out all the of- 
fending party for immediate execution, and already saw, in 
imagination, the guilty scoundrels swept from the earth by the 
deadly volleys of 'their executioners. ' 'oafjii 

Being politely invited into the presence of the general, li^ 
stated his grievance, interspersing his narrative with many of 
his irreverent coinages, and concluded by requiring immediat*^ 
redress of his wrongs. ThiiS was promised him on the morrow 
by Cheatham, who pretended great and virtuous indignation, 
and declared the perpetratOrfe unfit to exist, coveied as they 
were with eternal, indellible infamy and shame in the eyes of 
the whole civilized world. 

"To-morrow, my ^liend, to morrow," said the general, arid 
his eyes were trying to till with ^sympathetic tears aS he sptke'. 
"Public and important busine6s''Wing less imitietit to-morro\\i, 
I shall thoroughly sift this matter, and you shall have justice 
done you, though the heavens fall. Bring with you an estimate 
of your loss, and I shall feel only too much honored in covering 
it with Confederate bonds at six per cent. No thanks, my dear 
friend, and farewell until to-morrow."" '^^'^ 'i'» tno'i'dSiuimus Us 

Jack bowed gladly to this news, and, biJcIirig the gerieirara 
short farewell, mounted the old mare, highly elated at thes6 
promises and determined to swell the estimate to enormoui 
proportlotjs, in order to cover all after losses, and thus coni^ 
pletely secure himself in any event. '^ 

Wonder if there are any patriotic gentlemen of this stanlj) 
on our side. We hope not. '^• 

While Kincaid was being congratulated on his return horti^ 
by his friends, the oliject of his errand to Cheatham was being 
noised about the rebel c%mp; and had Jack known what waS 
intended by them, if he kept his next day's appointment, h^e 
would scarcely have wasted the amount of paper and time he 
did that night on th$ estimate. ■ ^^^i -'^^** *'"*! boois 



HUMEROU8 APVENTDKEft OF A VOLUl^TEEB, ^H 

Next day, Kincaid taking with him a few friends whom he 
desired to have witness his triumph, proceeded gaily to hia 
destination, and arrived as the reb^l general was about to enjoy 
the noon meal. The grini chief seemed wholly taken by sur- 
prise at the uncalled for intrusion of his yesterday's friend, an(^ 
asked in no very pleasant tone if it was expected by every one 
in general, and John Kincaid in particular, that he should deny 
himself the proper occasion of food, in order to hear the petty, 
complaints of iever])f.'(rij4g'^.vand tramper through the entire 
country. r,- ; / • ; • 

ctfack was thunderstruck, and made a meek reply, supposing 
it best under the circumstances; and so he handed to^the scar- 
less hero a formidable looking bundle of papers, muttering 
something abo^t yesterday and. the estimate. jj. '..nriu.vja 

" What estimate, and be d — d to you ? Oh, I see. You are 
the same fellow who came to me yesterday with a, long string 
of lies about bei^g robbed pf property, which, acic^ording tOr 
yourprevious boasting, belonged to the Confederate govern- 
ment. You gave it, as you §aid, freely, ai^d now you come to 
me with a whine about property Away with you, sir, and, 
think yourself fortunate that I allow you to depart unscathed 
Do jou think because you are a knave that I am consequently 
a fool ? Guard, see these individuals beyond the lines. Mark 
this ruffian well, and, should he {igain enter them, ]iang him to,- 
the first tree without any ceremony, whatever." 

Jack's woful appearance, may be better imagined than,, de- 
scribed, as he was dragged, rather than; led, th3;ougk the, rebel 
camp. He had not a word to repel the upbraidings of the: 
friends who came with him, and were as unceremoniously treated 
as himself by the chivalry of QampCheat-'em. The Knight of 
the Dolorous Countenance never looked more chapfallen than 
did the owner of the mill on this occasion. He had learned ^, 
lesson, however, which he intended to profit by immediately,j 
and thus partially consoling himself, he reached home a wiser 
if not a better man. r 

John was not destined by fate to escape thus easily. lie had. 
left home with the estimate but a short time, when a larger and, 
ipore noisy bodj^ of soldiers than the first, arrived at his house, 



99 HUMEROUS 'ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

which tlicy ransacked of everythmgthby could lay their hands 
on, and then departed leisurely, taking with them a splendid 
lot of cattle which the ownei^ had, a short time previous refused 
a round sum for. The mill was also robbed of everything about 
it of any value, and' Kihcaid, on discovery of this heavy loss> 
was nearly crazed, and determined on a positive revenge whicb 
he is now accomplishing secretly, but through others who fre-i 
quently give us good intelligencfe of every important matter 
they find out. Kincaid is no iotigei" a favorer of secfessiori, and 
has found out, when it is too late, which party respects men'* 
right's. . He knows now what a traitor has to expect from his 
fellow traitors. '•'''• ; ao->nn:.i(ii(:.ii > o>i: -i H.a.r iajd ii 

; We'still remain at Crumfi's'la'ri'di'fl'g, ahd^'e'x^cfe'pt cotisidoi-atrle^ 
scouting and two or three skirmishes, we have lain dormant, so 
far. 'The days move slowly, and our movements are, to use a 
railroad phras^, " behind time." Our hopes of ending this war 
in two or three months are not so flattering as we were led to' 
bfelieVe^, and this- l^enders sbm6 of the home loving among us af, 
little ■despondent; not of the eventual result, not through fear' 
of an}'' force the enemy may bring against us, but because' 
everything seems to move along at a snail's pace; as if our 
leaders were anxious, for their own benefit, to prolong the strife 
until the nation demands action or the army becomes disgusted 
with the service. We do' hot eXplcct to advance upon the fo^' 
for weeks to come, and "unless Mahomet comes to the mountain* 
tlie mountain will not come to Mahoiiiet." There may be strong 
i^easo^is, however, for this inertness, and 'all may yet turn out 
i^ghtt^ Men of humble positions in the army are not so' situated' 
aS'to^be able to judge correctly of militaiy necessities, and' 
therefore look mol'e to effects (lian causes. 
* 'THet'e arc some happj' fello\ts 'id'camp to-day, notwithstand-- 
ih^ it^ dull sanKiiiess, and we all tnanage in this way when we' 
receive letters, as we have to-day, from our dear loved ones at 
honi^. • ' • I'll J Imn 

My dear wife and child are both enjoying good health J ah^' 
thinlv of the weary soldier afiir in the enemy's land, surrounded 
with dtingers, which their lOve to^'^niiieS ifito aWful peril'. 'Ah;' 
who-dkn tell what a thrill of joy swtd Is through thd brdasit of 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 31 

the absent volunteer on the receipt of this sweet token of love 
from the beings most dear to him on this broad earth, and whom 
he may never be permitted to clasp in his fond embraces again. 
Oh, may He who rules the universe be propitious to them, and 
guard them from all harm. ''> ''^ '5'' '''';•' 

How lovingly a fond wife writes! Ho1v> naturally, ho\^ 
sweetl}'- her afiection breaks out when she says she is teaching 
our baby to say "papa ;" when she desires, should I be taken 
ill, to have permission to come and nurse me back to health. 
Would this were according to our regulations, it would be the 
means of saving many lives. Ah, immortal and ever blessed 
Florence Nightinale, would that others could appreciate th^ 
value of your sweet ministrations in the Crimea, and form an 
idea of the sacrifice you made in exchanging home and home 
comforts for the disagreeable, the miserable accommodations 
of camp life. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shailhave 
their reward. :.iJi->o-iq ihuhr 

7 o'clock P. 3/.— Some of our scouts report the enemy ap- 
proaching our lines in force. It is generally disbelieved, and 
a feeling of security prevails in our whole army. The tatoo is 
warning us that the hour of retiring to rest is at hand, and we 
all seek repose to dream of home and happiness. 

Previous to blowing out our lights some of the boys were 
engaged in fortune telling, and Corporal K. seemed the most 
fortunate hearer of all engaged. A young lady was described 
as being lovely and in love with some one in the army. In 
consequence of this he sat down and wrote her a letter imme- 
diately, pretending fascination on his part, and desiring to know 
if he was not the most fascinating fellow living; and whether 
or not he was the person whom she lAost desired for a com- 
panion in this life, and if she would not have himself alone as 
soon as the war is ended. Having finished this love letter, the 
light was put out^ and the corporal had to retire immediately 
too. 

Sunday^ 7 o'clock A. M. — The scouts were right. The enemy 
have approached this morn'ing, and attacked our left and cerif^i* 
at Pittsburg landing, five miles above here. We see the smoke 
of battle, and have heard the roar of artillery, and the crack of 



32 nUMEROUS -APTENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER* 

musketry, which for the Jast hour have been almost countinnons. 
Our boys are urged to a hasty breakfast, as the order to advance 
may be given at any moment. There is great excitement and 
strong anxiety to take part in the fight manifested by the troops, 
who will move on with alacrity the moment the order is given. 
May they win honor to themselves and glory to the country, 
we solemnly pray the Euler of all things. The firing ia now 
warmer than ever, report following report in rapid succession, 
and the fight seems gradually tending toward this point. 

11. oi^clock A. M. — The firing has ^ever slackened sinbo we 
heard it first this morning, and it is now one eontinuoua roar 
y^'ithout cessation or interval, approaching here slowly but 
surely. Our division has ju^t received ojders, and is being 
formed into line as quickly as possible^,-.) 7 ai>iii-i.0J5'4 oil) to jiobi 

General Lew. Walace is everywhere, ofersfe'ein'g, giving* 
orders, and urging haste with that calmness and self-possession 
which proclaims the energetic, able commander, The men, 
relying on their own courage and the capacity of their leader, 
"fall in" with great alacrity. General Grant passed up to thcf 
scene, of conflict half an hour since on the flag ship, the steamer 
l^igress. 

Straggling pnrties of our men are now coming in here at 
Crump's landing,, where none but our sick have been since 
Wallace dcparte^l, half an hour ago These last arrivals say 
they have just been driven from the battle-field by the enemy, 
who are represented as being one hundred thousand strong, 
headed by Johnson, Beauregard, Price, Bragg, Cheatham, Polk, 
and others. These men who fled from tbie battle arc generally 
bareheaded, barefooted, and without arms of any kind, having' 
lost them in swimmingt^nake creek, which is between here and 
Shiloh church. • : 

2 o^Jack P, M. — There are representatives of a dozen regi* 
ments engaged in the terrific cor^ibat going on so near us, no\vl 
here, who number at least one thousand five hundred men.i 
Ohio, Illinois, indiana, Iowa, and Missouri are represented by 
these flceiag cowards, who assert with greali positivenoss thatf 
all our troops aro nearly cut to pieces, and therefore incapable; 
«f much longer withstanding the terific assaults of so large a> 



HUMEROUS ADVENTUEES OF A TOLUNTEER. 33 

force of the enemy. Some of them assure us that they are the 
last and only living members of their regiments which were so 
well filled lately. All declare themselves completely taken by 
surprise while engaged at breakfast, only escaping capture by 
flying when their amunition was all expended, i^:,, .; ,'t ' •- . 

4 P. M. — The fury of the tremendous conflict is still unabated, 
and seems to be changing its location towards the river, where 
but one of our regiments is stationed with the tents. Now our 
two gunboats, the Tyler and Lexington, seem also to have be- 
come engaged. They have been firing for an hour. So the 
rebels must have driven us from our camps towards Pittsburg 
landing. Can it be possible that they have done so, and nearly 
whipped .us? No! let us never believe a traitor horde capable 
of even partially defeating us in a fair field. The wounded 
are now coming in here in large numbers, the ambulances cou- 
vejang those who are unable to walk. Some can hobble along 
alone, while others require the assistance of their comrades. 
They all represent the rebels as being masters of the principal 
portion of our camp, and, of course, having the best of the 
battle so far. 

We have a very nicely built hospital boat here, which is be- 
coming crowded with our wounded. Two excellent surgeons 
arc on board, engaged in the faithful discharge of all those 
duties which the condition of their patients devolve upon them. 
All of the transports and boats with provisions, which, since 
our arrival, have been at Pittsburg, are now moving down to- 
wards Savanna, some of them carrying large numbers of our 
wounded. They do not stop here, but inform us that reinforce- 
ments are arriving where they are moving to ; that Bucll's 
army will be up very soon, and that Nelson's men will bo first 
on the battle field. AVe see on the opposite side of the river a 
cavalry force going down, who belong to Ohio, and are going 
to Savanna in order to come over to the fight immediately. 
We trust soon to be in sight of Bucll's whole army, and drive 
then the enemy before us. 

Buell's arrival has saved us, certainly; for otherwise the 

rebel army had been stronger and much more healthy than 

ours. 

3 



8$ HUMEKOUS ADVENTURHS OF A VOLUNTEER. 

General Grant "was with his aids at a secesli house, ton miles 
from his army, when the fight commenced. There are said to 
"be some handsome dam(n)sel(l)s there, whose brother is a rebel 
officer, and who are, and liave been, apparently snch good 
sound Unionists that our general thought them all right. But 
they probably sent what news they heard to their brother, and 
it was thus, mayhap, the secesh army moved toward as and 
came so near whipping us. 

I was this afternoon put in possession of a romance which 
this war has already developed to within a singl#' act of itiS 
denouement. AVhen James C, T2d Ohio, reached the barge he 
pointed out to me Henry M., one of his comrades in his own 
company, and then proceeded to tell me "the stot^v of their 
love." It seems that these two young men had for some time 
been rivals for the affections of an angel in calico who resided 
in their neighborhood. The young lady in question was a sound 
"Unionist," but had declared for "secession" unless the other 
"sovrcign" had proved his courage and his patriotism on his 
country's battle fields; that, hereafter, no home-staying suitor 
need trouble her with his presence ; cowards were more hateful 
to her than crawling reptiles ; our country in this, her hour of 
cxtrcmest peril, needed every brave heart and strong arm to 
meet and drive back the most dangerous foe who had ever at- 
tempted her destruction, and finished by saying: 

" Who defends America defends America's daughters ; who 
fights for one fights for both. If both are not wortli fighting 
for neither is worth having*" 

James and Henry, both of whom were postponing their en- 
listment only to urge, each for himself, that she would permit 
him to carry to the tented field, througli all his duties as a sol- 
dier, on his lonely guard-beat, in the hour of battle, the happy 
consciousness that one heart beat quicker, one face shone 
brighter, one eye looked clearer, when /^/s name was mentioned 
by the furloughed comrade or the army correspondent of the 
home paper, immediately joined the 72d Ohio. They arrived" 
here about as good friends as men usually are, under such cir- 
cumstances. Both entered the battle to-day, and, with the first 
order, each solemnly vowed to do his whole duty, to outdo the- 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUlSrTEEE. 35 

other in bravery, and "to win tlie lady or the grave." They were 
placed conspicuously, and fought like heroes, until Ilenr}'- was 
struck down by a ball in the hip, when James, forgetful of self, 
forgetful of past rivalry'-, penetrated by that generous emotion 
which is always a distinguishing characteristic of the true 
soldier, sprang to the assistance of his now friend, raised him 
in his arms, and was in the act of carrying him to the shelter 
of a neighboring tree, when he was himself the recipient of a 
rebel bullet which rendered his left arm powerless. Still he 
struggled on, carrying his friend on his back and supporting 
him there with his right arm, a noble example of heroic forti- 
tude. As if to increase his difficulties their brigade was com- 
l^elled to fall back before the wounded heroes reached the 
friendly tree. With renewed efforts James cheerfully bent to 
his difficiilt task, and triumphantly bore his comrade from the 
field of carnage, safely arriving here an hour or two ago, and 
both are now on the hospital boat, from whence, it is to be 
hoped, they will be sent home on a furlough to remain until they 
recover. In this eventful little drama there is but one more act 
in two scenes : Scene lirst : The Choice. Scene second : The 
Marriage. Which of the two heroes will be "the choice" it is 
hard to say. One thing, however, we wish we could wliispcr 
into the ear of the fair cause of their trouble ; either of tliera 
is worthy to mate with the fairest, the wisest, the best of the 
daughters of the land. 

Our division under Wallace, which left here about 1 P. M., 
are not yet engaged. It is to be hoped they will get into the 
action pretty soon, and then give the enemy harder worlv for 
their impatient delay. The heroic 11th and 24th Indiana; the 
8th Missouri, whose fame is world-wide, and the 5Sth Oiiio, 
which has already made a proud record, form part of tliis 
force. If they can not whip double their number of rebels 
I am laboring under the greatest mistake I ever made in all my 
life. 

We unfortunates on the sick list are compelled to guard 
the company stores while our more fortunate comrades win 
glory on the bloody field. Were we permitted we are anxious 
to be with them, but, as this is against orders, we must rcfc^igu 



36 HUMERDUS ADVENTUKE3 OF A YOLUNTEEE. 

ourselves to submit and obey. Some of us have asked our first 
lieutenant to let us go, but he, under the circumstances, thinks 
the few well men remaining with the sick are at their proper 
posts. Our battalion, commanded by Major Hayes, is out 
guarding a number of wagons which left hero to bring in 
forage and provisions to our departed division. They will do 
their whole duty to their country, although they are only armed; 
with sabres. The few pistols we have, Josselyn's patent, are 
patently worthless, and refuse to fire at a foe; they are conse- 
quently only dangerous to their owners. Who is to blame for. 
this? No one, of course. But feeling ourselves fighting in a 
just cause, we will permit none to exceed us in the faithful 
discharge of our whole duty under all circumstances. 

6 o'clock P. M. — The fire has somewhat slackened in the last 
half hour, and, except the discharge of heavy guns from our 
gunboats, has nearly ceased altogether. Buell has arrived with 
a large portion of his force, and has crossed over to the scene 
of action. A large portion of them is visible going, on the 
opposite side of the river, to Savanna to obtain transportation. 
A number of transports wdiich passed down to-day, some of 
them nearly empty, are now returning, filled to their utmost 
capacity with glorious soldiers, who rend the sky with cheers 
as they pass up to their destination. 

Tliai does not look as if we were beaten yet awhile, although 
some of the steamers stopping their engines at our hail, report 
our being driven clear to the river, where the gunboats are 
even now protecting our retreat. From all we can see and hear, 
here can be no doubt that the gunboats have saved our out 
numbered, wearied army from annihilation. A, grateful country 
•will reward their services, we all firmly trust and believe. 

The rebels seem to have advanced last night to within two 
miles of our pickets so silently that our sleeping sentinels knew 
nothing of the matter, until they were cut down or captured by 
the enemy in the morning, who followed the advantage so 
quickly that a part of our forces, especially the brigades of 
Generals Prentiss and Sherman, were cut up or captured before 
they had a chance to defend themselves. General Prentiss 
was particularly unfortunate, as ho and nearly his entire com- 



HUMEKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 37 

mand were captured in the very first onset. Under these cir- 
cumstances, thou oh tlicre is much fanlt somewliere, the men 
are not so much to bhime as v^s at first supposed. Oppose 
any body of men to a fully accoutred army of disciplined 
troops, let them be taken by surprise, and they will do no better 
than tliis army, many of whom have l^een spoken of so slioht- 
ingl}'. The fault lies not with the men, but with those having 
command of them. The oflicers who ordered the men to save 
themselves as best tliey could, soon after the lirst charge was 
made upon them, were far more cowardly than words can tell. 
The idea of permitting guards to sleep at improper periods is 
a manifest injustice, both to themselves and those over whose 
safety they are su])posed to watch. It has been said, and 
somewha^ truly too, that a greater coward or scoundrel never 
existed, than he who permits others to do as much infamy as 
he is guilty of himself at all times. To allow guards to sleep 
at such a time was attributable to some of their officers; and 
that such fcdlows are permitted to remain in the service is 
reprehensible in the extreme. Yet some of them will retain 
their commissions, and, cowards as they are and always will be? 
will feel themselves forgotten and neglected if they are not 
promoted. Major Ricker, in command of our first battalion, 
must know several of them, because when he drove the cow- 
ards of our army from the river whither tiiey liad fled this 
afternoon, the ofiicers there pretended that it was sickness that 
affected them, and rcpresente.l themselves as unfit for further 
service at the present time. The next fight we engage in we 
will dress part of the shoulder strap gentry in petticoats, and 
leave them in camp to wash the linen for the high privates, 
while the latter will do a great deal better fighting without 
them. 

8 o'clock P. M. — ^It is thought that the enemy, if they have 
reliable intelligence of our numbers, and the large amount 
of commissary stores remaining here, may send a brigade in 
this direction before morning. We scarcely believe this, how- 
ever, since they must be aware of the large reinforcements we 
are still receiving at Pittsburg. Tlieir generals are too well 
skilled to divide their forces now to accomplish such an object. 



88 nUMEKOUS ADTENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

for, if tliey beat ns ngain to morrow, tliey will capture tlietn 
williout anj additioual risk to themselves. Yes, if thev whip 
ns ai^ain to-morrow they caW^liave them. But, \A^allace and 
IJucU will have something to i^ay and do to them that Avill make 
their hearts ache. If thirty- live thousand taken by surprise 
can contest the Held with eigty or one linudred thousand re])els 
for twelve hours, what will not our tried heroes do witli them 
to-morrow, nnder the leadership, of such men as Eousseau, 
AVallace, Nelson, and Sherman. Ah, if they only remain on 
the held till to-raorrow the Republic is safe and the war will be 
much sooner ended. 

April- 7. — Glory to God ! the enemy is still on the ground, 
and the contest is renewed. Now, gallant patriots, to your 
posts, and show them that you will not only "scotch the snake 
of ]obellion," but crush it. Be your arn^s nerved and your 
liearts determined this day by the justness of your cause. 
Let ever}' man but do his duty, and victory, glorious victory, 
can not fail to perch upon our standard. 

Generals Nelson, McCook, and Crittenden, of Buell's army, 
commanding the second, fourth, and fifth divisions thereof, are 
going to do good service now. They enter this morning's en- 
gagement first. 

Five of our divisions, under Mc'Clernand, W. 11. L. Wallace, 
ilurlbuit, Sherman, and Prentiss, were pretty badly used yes- 
terday. The sixth, under Prentiss, is about gone, and those 
under vSherman and Hurlburt have lost a great many. McCler- 
.nand and W. H. L. Wallace are also severe losers, the number? 
in killed, wounded, and missing being about two thousand 
each. 

Having ascertained our plans, the secesh generals struck at 
a time when such a blow was not expected. They thought tp 
surprise us with an overwhelming force, and, by creating a 
sudden panic among our divisions, drive us into tlie river. That 
this was their great design, their silent advance night before 
last, and their sudden attack yesterday morning, clearly proves. 
Slierman's and Ilurlburt's divisions were attacked near Shiloh 
church, they being the left wing, and the first engaged ; their 
losses were consequently severe. It was here that Water- 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 39 

house's and Taylor's batteries opened ou the rebel forces, and 
their fii-e across an open Held became general. Tlie enemy- 
then left flanked Sherman, and drove Prentiss partly to tlie 
rear. He fell back about 9 o'clock A. M. Appier's and Alnn- 
ger's regiments, under Colonel Ilildebrand, then left the bat- 
teries of Waterhouse and Taylor and also retreated, Waterhouse 
losing three of his guns. Taylor's battery, still at Shiloh, was 
ordered to fall back on the Hamburgh road, which it did safely, 
accompanied by McDowell's and Buckland's forces. Captain 
Behr's battery was all lost near by, the men flying from tlieir 
guns on the approach of the enemy. McDowell and Buckland 
joined McClernand on the right, by orders, at about, 10 A. M.; 
and all our camps on the left were soon after taken possession 
of by the enemy. Previous to this, General Hurlburt had re- 
ceived orders, and advanced the second brigade, under Colonel 
Veatch, to the left of Sherman, which went into action imme- 
diately on its arrival, and fought as well and hard as any force 
on earth could do. They were the 25th Indiana, and the lith, 
15th, and 4Gth Illinois. 

t These men formerl in line of battle, and, moving on to the 
attack, met Sherman's flying men on the roads along the routes 
lor miles. Tliey had been com]3letely surprised by the enemj^'s 
attack, and strewed their blankets, knapsacks, and guns along 
the route as they fled. The men in the second brigade tried 
hard to stem the tide of battle, but, as everything -was breaking 
lip around them, they could not stand the destructive fire of the 
rebels for any length of time unless at the expense of tot?l 
annihilation. They poured in a few well directed volleys, and 
then reluctently retreated, firing as they fell back. Their loss 
was quite heavy, as nearly all their field officers were killed or 
wounded. 

Hildebrand'e forces were evidently poor figliters in this inj 
stance, as they flinched in a short time under the appalling fire 
sent into them. It is said of them by a writer that "they had 
no stomach for a fight, since no command or entreaty of ofliccrs 
—no appeal to their patriotism or to their sense of shame — 
no taunts of cowardice or threats of disgrace could call them 
again into action." They drifted through the lines of Hurlburt; 



•40 nuMEEors advektcees of a volunteer. 

and McClernand, and for the remainder of the day songht and 
found safety and repose under the river bank, some talcing logs 
and drowning in the attempt to swim the river; the balance 
only waiting an opportune moment to seize the transports 'which 
had gone do-wn to Savanna. 

About 10:30 A. M., the enemy made a furious attack upon 
General McClernand's whole line ; but a brigade under Mc- 
Dowell came up, and, attacking the left flank of the secession 
army, forced them back some distance for a time, probably 
four or five hours ; and then our men, taking cover of a wooded 
valley and some fallen timber in the rear, sometimes gaining 
and sometimes losing ground, were finally compelled to retreat. 
The almost deafening roar of artillery, the rattle of musketry, 
the bursting of shells, the whirr-r r of cannon balls, and the 
zip, zip, zi-i ip of bullets were all that could be heard at the 
lime, and plainly showed that the contest on both sides was for 
victory or death. 

In extenuation of the conduct of Sherman's men, he has said 
that his division Avas made up of new regiments, nearly all of 
whom received their arms at Paducah, Kentucky. None of 
them had ever been under fire before, or beheld heavy columns 
of an enemy bearing down npon them, as tliey did yesterday. 
The general did not expect the coolness or steadiness of older 
troops, under the circumstances, nor did other persons ; and 
they would be all right Avith a little experience. Hurlburt's 
division, which was in reserve, saved Sherman and Prentiss by 
solidly keeping the ranks of his first and third brigades in front, 
after he received the request to assist them; which he did with 
the 41 St, 28th, and 32d Illinois, and 3d Iowa. The 31st and 
4:4th Indiana, and the 17th and 25th Kentucky regiments, and 
the first and second battalions of the 5th Ohio volunteer cav- 
alry, together with the batteries of Matm and Ross, the 2nd 
Michigan, and Myers's 13th Ohio battery, drew near the left 
of Prentiss ; but his regiments drifted through our advance. 
Prentiss made strong efforts to stop their retreat, and at last 
succeeded in rallying a large portion of his men. They re- 
deemed their honor by maintaining the line they now formed, 
and remained near Hurlburt's third and fighting brigade. 



HUMER0U8 AD^'ENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER-. 41 

Shortly before this, however, ]\ryers's 13th Ohio 'battery was 
deserted by the oflficers and men belorio^inf^ to it. It is to be 
hoped that for this contemptible piece of cowardice, they will 
at the earliest practicable moment after the close of this battle, 
be tried and receive the death penalty so richly merited by 
them. 

Eoss's battery lost manj'- men here, and was ordered to the 
rear, when Mann's battery, maintaining its fire very steadily, 
sent shot and shell into the enemy's ranks, and kept its position 
with great lirmness until all were compelled to retreat to the 
river. 

The correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, Mr. Spencer, 
wrote a full account of yesterday's battle, and, for the purpose 
of telling more than I, or any other paticipant, can know about 
it, and, at the same time, to place one of his highly inter- 
esting letters here, I have left this place open in my diary. 
I have seen the writer frequently. He is a gentleman well 
liked by us all, and is the correspondent of a paper we highly 
prize : 

"AViththe first demonstration of the enemy upon the left 
wing, it was to be seen that all the fury was being poured out 
upon it, with the determination that it should give way. For 
nearly two hours a sheet of fire blazed from both columns, and 
I could liken the explosion of the small arms to nothing save 
a canebrake in a conflagration. The Mississippi riflemen, a 
large and well organized body of good marksmen and desperate 
men, fought with a valor that was only equalled by those who 
received their unerring fire, and returned it with an energy 
which assured them that many of those Avho had received the 
fire at Fort Donelson were in the ranks before them. 

"In this cjuarter it seemed, for the period of nearly an hour, 
that the enemy would succeed in driving our forces. Three 
different times they drove our men slowly before them until 
they came in sight of the river, and were plainly visible to all 
on the main landing below. Up to 3 o'clock, it will bo remem- 
bered, the battle raged with a fury which defies description. 
At all poiiits the rebels found every effort to break our lines 
unavailing. They had striven to drive in our main columnSj 



42 HUMEROUS ADYENTUEE8 OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

and, finding that impossible, had turned all their strength upon 
the left wing. Foiled in that quarter, they now made another 
attack upon the center and fought like tigers. They found our 
lines well prepared for, and in anticipation of their coming; 
every man at his post, and all waiting to bring the contest to a 
definite conclusion. 

"In hourly expectation of the arrival of the forces under 
Generals Nelson and Thomas, who were at Savanna and I o whom 
messages had been sent, (a fact as well known to the secession- 
ists as to ourselves,) they made every effort to route our forces 
before these reinforcements could come forward. Th(\y were, 
however, fighting against a wall of fire and steel, manned by 
as brave hearts as ever smelled gunpowder. Volley answered 
to volley, and for a time the battle of the morning was, re-en- 
acted over the same ground, and with the same vigor on both 
eides. 

"At five o'clock there was a short cessation in the firing of 
enemy, their lines failing back in the center for tiie distance, 
perhaps, of nearly a mile. They then suddenly wheeled, and 
again threw their whole force upon the left wing, determined 
to make the final struggle of the day in that quarter. The gun- 
boat Lexington, in the meantime, had arrived from Savanna, 
and after sending a messenger to General Grant to ascertain in 
which direction the enemy then lay from the river, the two 
boats took position about half a mile above the landing and 
poured their shell up a deep ravine, reaching the river to the 
right. The shots were thick and fast, and told with thrilling 
effect. 

" In the meantime. General Wallace had taken a circuitous 
route from Crump's landing, and appeared suddenly on the 
right wing of the enemy. In face of this combination of cir- 
cumstances, tlie rebels felt that their enterprise was, for the day, 
a failure, and, as night was about at hand, fell back, fighting as 
"they went, until they reached an advantageous position some- 
what in the rear, and yet occupying the main road to Corinth- 

"The gunboats continued to send their shell after them until 
they were entirely out of reach. Thus ends an outline of the 
battle of the first day." 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 43 

Mr. Spencer made but one mistake in tliis letter, which was 
in regard to the arrival of General "Wallace. His guide lost 
the way and he did not arrive until after dark. But to-day he 
■ is there, and has just gone into the fracas. We have full intel- 
'ligence of the battle from wounded officers who are constantly 
coming in to the now over-crowded hospitals. This morning, 
if permitted, we design going to the immediate scene of action. 
It was General W. H. L. Wallace whose division had arrived ; 
so, after all, the only error of the correspondent was in omitting 
the innitials which distinguish the two Wallaces. Generals 
W. H. L. Wallace and McArthur were mortally wounded in 
their attack on the enemy's right, but they succeeded in keep- 
ing the enemy at bay until the day's battle was over. When 
they fell Colonel Tattle took the command. JVJcClernand's 
forces distinguished themselves by the brilliant part they took 
in the engagement. In fact, ncai'ly all our men fought nobly 
throughout the battle. The Illinois regiments, especially the 
14th, and the 25tli Indiana and .5th 0. V. C. partly saved us 
from destruction yesterday. The skill of the rebel generals 
had nearly defeated us, driving us toward the river, at about 4 
P. M. Ic was now that McCleruand did so well, causing charges 
by noble western soldiers which kept at bay the secesh Tigers, 
Avalanches, Zouaves, Gladiators, and Invincibles, who attacked 
us, and caused the bloodiest battlefield the Union ever had 
since it was formed. 

An observer of the contest thus writes in regard to this ter- 
rible battle : 

" Each man fought as if success or defeat depended on liis 
own right, arm; and charge after charge was made upon the 
rebels to regain the ground we had lost. They stood firm as a 
rock; and though our artillery often swept down their ranks 
and left fearful gaps in their columns, they manifested no trep- 
idation, nor did they waver for a moment. The living supplied 
the place of the dead ; the musket that had fallen from a life- 
less hand was seized at once, and ihe horrid strife swept on as 
before. The force of the enemy appeared increasing, and 
.where the greatest havoc was made, there the strongest oppo- 
sition was shown. Hand to hand to hand contests were iuuiV" 



'44 HUMER0U8 ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

merable. Eveiy struggle was for life. Quarter was asked on 
neither side, and -the ground drank np the blood of hundreds 
of brave fellows every hour. Men lost their semblance of hu- 
manity, and the spirit of the demon shone in their faces; there, 
was but one desire, and that was tu destroy ; there was littllEf 
shouting; the warriors M^ere too much in earnest; they set 
their teeth firm, and strained every nerve to its utmost tension. 
Death lost all its terrors, and men seemed to feast upon the 
sight of blood." 

On the next day, our reinforcements having come up, as I 
stated before, we shortly affer daylight re-commenced the fight; 
our division, under Lew. Wallace, taking the right, and form- 
ing the right wing. Buell's division took the left, upon which 
the rebel artillery first opened fire. Both sides were soon en- 
gaged here; but the advantage was with us. The greatest 
number of rebel infantry were, however, gathered in strong 
force upon our right wing, in order to fall upon that and drive 
"Wallace from his position. He drove back tlie rebels, using 
Thompson's and Tiiirbcr's batteries, and halting on a bluff to 
await the appearance of Sherman for a co-operation to recap- 
ture our camp that was taken yesterday. Sherman had gone 
to McOlernand, however, and soon Wallace changed front, and, 
being protected by Snake creek, half-wheeled the whole di- 
vision, the first brigade occupying the strip of woods near the 
battery commanded b}^ Tliirber, and which Thompson had oc- 
cupied while his amunition lasted. 

The rebels now made an attack, but were quickly driven back 
by the 8th Missouri, who sent afire at them, which caused their 
immediate flight, our regiment sufl'ering but little. The rebels 
were in the woods principall}', having been driven there by our 
first and second brigades, who held for some time all of their 
positions in front of the woods. Our left, then under General 
Sherman, advanced, covered by Lieutenant Wood's Chicago 
light artillery, and gained McClernand's old camp on the road 
to Corinth. It was here that Bnell's veterans were met by 
them, and gave them a confidence previously unpossessed, and 
they entered the hitherto dreaded woods, a portion under Mc- 
Cook and Rousseau, and soon sent the eneni}'-, under Beaure- 



nUMEEOUS ADVENTDEES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 45 

gard, Polk, Bragg, and Breckinridge, flying. This was about 
the center, and it was here that McCook's division did its best 
fighting, driving the enemy back the way they came, from the 
center of the fieId_o£ battle which they stole along to on yester- 
day. :on .V,;; 

Ilnrlburt, on the left, was also doing good service at this 
time near McClernand, and while successfally engaged in stop- 
ping a flank movement of the enemy, held their ground until 
all the firing ceased. Lew. Wallace, having forced the enemy 
on the rigjit, pushed on his columns until the rebel cavalry, in 
strong force, tried to cut our right flank, but were soon driven 
ofl' by a part of the 1st Nebraka, 23d and 11th Indiana, and 
the 20th, 2Sth, 5Sth, TGth, and TSth Ohio. 

When we entered the woods we did not stop, but drove them 
on, while Beauregard was trying, by all the eloquence of which 
he was master, to stop the retreat of his flying troops, but all 
in vain. 

At 4 P. M. the contest w^as raging in every direction, until at 
last the enemy, being driven at all points, were routed; and 
oiir men rent the sky with their cheers, making the welkin ring 
again as they joyously engaged in the eager pursuit. Buell 
drove the enemy's right wing. While our division were driving 
the left the secesh fled to their camps, which were two miles 
beyond ours, and were, previous to yesterday's fight, occupied 
by General Sherman. Terrill's and Mendenhall's batteries at- 
tacked them near this camp, taking many pieces of their artil- 
lery and partially causing their final defeat. Their resistance 
here was determined and obstinate, until they were broken by 
Rousseau's brigade. They were then completely repulsed on 
our center and I'ight, and General McClernand*'s headquarters 
retaken by his forces. The enemy fled through the open fields 
and only refoi-med when they reached the woods bc3^ond. They 
had been fighting desperately all along our lines, and many of 
our boys having discharged all their amunition we spent quite 
a while in completely exhausting and driving the enemy before 
us. The rebels tried to increase the vigor of their resistance 
then, but to no purpose; for, Rousseau's brigade being again 
supplied _with amunition, our whole force advanced, and the 



46 HUMEROUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

result was a quick retreat of the enemy in every direction. 
Beauregard made every endeavor, by appeal, by command, by 
the most reckless exposure of his person along the entire line, 
to stay the retreat of his troops ; but every effort was in vain, 
and his men all fled hastily and in dire confusion along the 
Corinth roads. 

The nature of our pursuit was feeble, as the direction to 
move was poor, and our cavalry movements were feeble, and 
our harrassing for a tinae somewhat restrained ; our pursuit, 
therefore, for a mile or two was comparatively useless. The 
topography of the country was so little known that it was con- 
sidered hazardous to penetrate into the enemj's ranks. The 
neglect of our generals in not acquainting themselves with the 
nature and character of the ground over which the retreat and 
pursuit was to take place was, to say the least, unfortunate in 
the extreme. But for this act of carelessness our great triumph 
would have been greater still, resulting, instead of in a mere 
route, in a complete surrenaer of the entire rebel arm}^ and the 
immediate capture of Corinth with the immense stores of sup- 
plies that were there. 

Many have written home about this battle, who say that pre- 
vious to this day's fight, tliey expected failures in regard to 
conquest, as we were far from being as numerous or as well 
posted as the enemy. This, however, has proved a grand mis- 
take, although we were not, like some of the enemy, residents 
near the place where we fought at. We trust to meet the rebel 
scoundrels soon, and give them all they deserve. May they 
never gain a success. 

April 8. — On this eventful morn, I, in company with two 
others, started, with our lieutenant's consent, from Crump's 
landing to the field of battle, in order to find our third battalion 
which was reported near or beyond Shiloh church. An hour's 
hasty riding brought us to the field near Pittsburgh landing. 
All along the roa^l two-thirds of the houses have raised a white 
flag to show their peaceful intentions toward the victors on 
either side; whether or not they were Unionists we care but 
very little. 

The battle field is some four or five miles in length, and, in 



HUMEK0U3 ADVENTUKE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 47 

many places, over a mile in width. This is nearly all covered 
with dead, the rebels being as many as five to one. There are 
articles of many kinds, such as carbines, guns, amunition, ar- 
tillery, wagons, and horses, laying all around through the field, 
some of which have been picked up by many of our own men 
of small regiments, and taken by various quartermasters. 

The unfaltering heroism of a great many of our Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, and Michigan boys, was very 
remarkable yesterday, and their losses very severe, for which 
we all trust their country will do them honor; and remember 
that they fought the same ground over several times, against 
maiurities of the enemy, who, enthusiastic as they often are, 
were finally compelled to retreat, and left everything in our 
hands. 

The field was covered with bodies lying dead all over it. In 
digging the graves there were frequently over one hundred 
bodies, piiucipally rebels, placed m one hole, their dead being 
at least three to one of ours. There "was scarcely i place upon 
the whole field upon which many dead were not lying and our 
men digging their graves ; in one of which nearly two hundred 
bodies were placed. Near this, on the limb of a large tree, 
was a portion of the leg of an artillerist, which was taken 
down and interred. This was close to the place wh^^e General 
Grant sat upon his horse about 4 P. M. on Sunday, and where 
Captain Carson, our scout, was killed, and several others were 
wounded ; and to the left of where Sherman, had his head not 
been somewhat lowered, would also have received a fatal 
wound. There was scarcely a tree about here M'hich had not 
from one to twenty holes in it, most of them made by cannon 
balls and many of them by large shot. To the left of this also 
Hurlburt came near having his life terminated by a rebel bul- 
let. 

Here my two companions separated from me, and I made 
off for Shiloh church, where it was represented our battalion 
had gone, in order to do more service, if necessary. As I went 
along I saw rebel wagons, caisons, and dead horses in lai-ge 
numbers, lying, with tents and sutler's boxes, in all directions. 
I hastened on, until at last I found our men formed in line of 



48 HUMEEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

battle in frpnt of Sherman's division. Shortly after my arrival 
we were ordered, to advance, and just then the 71st Ohio was 
attacked by rebel cavalry, and were compelled, with many 
killed and wounded, to retreat. Then we received orders to 
advance, with the third battalion of the 11th Illinois cavalry a 
mile or so behind us, in order to prevent the enemy from mak- 
ing an attack on our rear; and if tliey were near us to fight 
them and capture all we could. 

We started along, the main Corinth road. Instead of going 
one mile we went out six, without discovering, until we reached 
a creek, the cavalry we were after. Here they had burned the 
bridge and we could go no further. AVe formed a line of battle 
in order to cause a melee, to no purpose, however, as we .only 
captured a black servant, with the horse of a rebel captain, at 
the ])lace. We went far beyond where we were ordered to, 
contrary to the vehemently expressed Vvishes of the commander 
of the 31th Illinois, who was with us. But Major Hayes of 
ours was determined on a fracas and promotion, if possible j 
and so all had to follow and do as he deemed best. We liked 
it finel}^, but we unexpectedly returned without a battle, as we 
were sure we would have before we reached our camps once 
more. 

Along our course there were many small rebel camps on 
either side of the road, and some four miles out was a large 
hospital full of rebel wounded, and several physicians attending 
on them. These we did not trouble. I notice and record all 
these little facts, because I am corresponding with a paper, and 
have engaged to write one letter a week while I am in the ser- 
vice. 

After returning I was compelled to go back to Crump's land- 
ing, where I arrived about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. There I 
was compelled, by orders, to remain with our sick, a largo 
number of whom were in bed in their tents. The men who left 
the battle field on Sunday and came here flying, were compelled 
to return by their ollicers. There were 5,000 of them, most 
of whom were arrant cowards, well deserving the halter. Not 
satisfied with derscrting their comrades in the hour of danger, 
thvy hid in the woods when they were sought for. 



HtJMEROUS AI/TENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 49 

April 10. — Major Hurst is raising a regiment of his neigh- 
bors and friends, and has some two hundred men, \vho are in 
tents, and receive clothing and provisions from us, but, as 3'et, 
no horses, as these animals are scarce at present. Tliey seem 
resolved to be iirmlj- in favor of our Union cause, and are, 
generally, large, stout men. 

The weather is quite good now; the sun shines pleasantly, 
and birds and suaikes are plentiful. A good many deaths are 
taking place at this period, and our graveyard, on top of the 
hill near the river, is becoming quite large. Colonel Canbry, 
of the 72d Ohio, and others who were brought here wounded, 
have expired. Colonel Canbry was shot through the breast. 
His wife, on a visit to him, only arrived after he died. We 
have many wounded in hospital from this T2d Ohio, also of 
the 4St]i, 5:ith and 57th Ohio; the 11th, ] 5th, 40th, and 61st 
Illinois, Colonel Moore, of the Cist,. is killed and the major 
wounded. The Gth Iowa, the 21st and 25th Missouri have also 
some of their wounded here. Boats filled with soldiers keep 
coming up the river and pass us here, cheered and wislied ail 
kinds of good hick after their arrival at Pittsburg landing. 

April 13. — This morning a colonel of our army commanding 
two regiments near Adamsville, four miles from here, has sent 
in asking us to bring out one hundred cavalry, in order to cap- 
ture sevei-al rebel ollicers, who are now at home, between him 
and Purdy, and ol)tain all the news for him we can. This we 
can not do, as our battalion has been gone several da3^s to the 
advance of Grant's forces. We raised ten men, however, and, 
although our first lieutenant Avas at first opposed to so few of 
ns going to do suoh perilous work, he at last consented, and out 
we went to the colonel who sent for a hundred of us, and from 
him received the loan of guns and the order not to go very 
far with so few men. We started on the Purdy road, and at 
Adamsville captured John Combs, a rebel adjutant, whom I 
sent by one of our men back to the colonel under whose orders 
Ave were acting. We immediatel}' started on again, and searched 
some of the houses as we went along, in order to find rebels or 
arms. In a house about three miles beyond Adamsville we 
found a dying rebel soldier, who began to weep as we ent-cred ;; 



50 nUMEROUS ADVENTUKE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 

seeing tliat lie was nearly gone, we left there, and again start- 
ino- out, we saw some three or four men riduig r.p the way we 
were going, and we halti^d in order to attack and destroy them 
provided they were secessionists. They proved to be Major 
Hurst, Mr. Browning, and members of our regiment; and as 
they advised, we started to Purdy, in order to capture all the 
rebel officers, residents of the place, who were at home. The 
principal portion of the secesli army had gope to Corinth, in 
fear that we would attack this place as soon as we conld. In 
o'iving this advice and proffering his assistance to carry it out, 
Major Hurst proved himself to be a very daring person ; for, 
it will be remembered, Purdy is the town whence he had been 
driven shortly after the beginning of the war. He knew 
what to do and when to do it, and we gladly went through tho 
woods and creeks, with bridges destroyed, until we ariived at 
the top of the hill, a mile from the to'\vn.= There we halted to 
observe all we could, in every diiection, and to obtain Major 
Hurst's order how to proceed. We asked the men with us if 
they were willing to enter the place, and they all decided on 
goino' if Hurst wished them to do so. 

One half were ordered to a colonel's residence, at the left 
end of Main street, and the rest, seven of us, to enter at the 
other end of the same street, and capture another rebel oiliccr 
who lived in a beautiful large white house. Mr. Browning for- 
merly resided near this house, and, under his guidance, we soon 
came to it. Our search proved unavailing, however, for we found 
only women there, one of whom, the wife of the owner, stated 
that her husband had gone to Corinth, under orders from Gen- 
eral B(fauregard, and adding an expression of pretended regret 
that Americans were now ilghling each other and destroying 
the whole nation. The colonel at the other end of the street 
was gone also, and we went where we had. agreed to meet, out 
toward Betiiel, four miles from Purdy, to search another rebel 
officer's house. On the way we saw a horeseman, mounted on a 
mule, who dismounted on seeing us and endeavored to esca])e 
by taking to the woods. We outran him, however, and had a 
good hiugli at our own and his expense, for he proved to be a 
good ieUow and a neighbor of Hurst's, at Purdy. He gaye us 



HUMEKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 51 

some good intelligence, and pointed out a place where, by re- 
maining a few minutes, we captured a covered wagon contain- 
ing two men, one of whom, Boyle, a rebel bridge burner, wo 
made a prisoner. 

Shortly after this we started back to our camp, now forty 
miles distant, by another route, for the purpose of collecting 
any information that might be of value to our forces, and, at 
the same time, capture Colonel Massingill and others, who were 
then said to be at home, and were supposed to have a few men 
with tiiem, all of whom we could take as prisoners as soon as 
we arrived. A few miles brought us near Massingill's liouse, 
which stood on top of a hill. At th(3 foot of this, in obedience 
to Hurst's "Column, gallop ! March ! " v/e dashed forward and, 
in a very few minutes, ten of us entered the Jjouse. While I, 
assisted by one of the men, was searching the rooms, upstairs 
and down, I heard the report of a pistol outride. I immediately 
left searching, and heard the crying of Massingill's wife and 
children as I went out to ascertain the cause of the shooting. 
When T got beyond the door, I saw a negro woman, who told 
me that she had informed my men that her master was hid in 
a corn crib, and that he had been shot because he would not 
come out when ordered to do so. I proceeded to the corn cri!>, 
wliere I found Massingill, who was shot near and below the 
elbow. The shot had been fired by order of JMnjor Hurst. 
It was hard to do, yet it could not be avoided, for the colonel 
should have come out when twice ordered to do so. Taking 
one of his horses out of the stable, and fixing up his arm as 
M^ell as possible, we mounted him and brought him along as a 
prisoner. 

Shortly after tlsis, we entered another rebel domicile, and 
there found Hatcher, a rebel soldier, wdiom we also took with 
us to camp. 

It now began to rain heavily, and we returned to camp, giving 
up our arms and prisoners to the colonel near Adamsville. He 
thanked us very much for our services, and took our names in 
order to do us some farther service as soon as he possibly 
could. He seemed a very good man, and a true soldier; and 
it is our wish that he may some day bo promoted to a general. 



52 nuMEKors adyentdkes of a volunteer. 

April 25. — The sutlers here are now doing a heavj' l3usiness ; 
they have opened a large amount of eatables, and some of them 
drinking matter of rather a strong description. There is one ol 
them near tlie river, belonging to the 5Sth Ohio, who sells by 
the drink out of open barrels, and makes a great deal of money 
by it. Whether or not this permission is granted him is hard 
to say; but one thing is certain — he ought not to be allowed to 
do so by the military authorities. If any such permission is 
granted so close to soldiers' camps, then ought every soldier 
desiring it receive a furlough immediately. 

One of the sergeants in this regiment has had his wife with 
liim from the time he Icit home. She is a washer-woman in 
the camp, and makes considerable money through her employ- 
ment. She has a hard bunk, however, being compelled to sleep 
in her husband's tent, and cook his meals there continually. 
Ed. B., one of our boys, discovered her presence, and became 
so much in love with lier, because of her great beauty, that he 
brought her some washing, and soon after tendered her in pay- 
ment a one dollar bill on the State Bank of Indiana; this she, 
being a German and stranger to that State,;did not know, and 
asked for other money. Ed. Stated that it was perfectly good 
and that it was, at present, all the kind he had. Upon this as- 
sertion she became angry, and, calling her husband, desired 
the immediate whipping of so impudent a fellow; wliich the 
husband would have done, if he could, had not one of Ed.'s 
friends, who came along, having the change, lent him a sum 
suflicient to pay the lady's charge. The friend then marched 
his coi-poral off with him to camp, inforniing him, on the way, 
of the marriage of his Dulcina del Washtub to the sergeant 
who was going to strike him. As soon as Ed. was put in pos- 
session of tliis necessary but unwelcome intelligence, his gal- 
lantry on the occasion was gone, and ever after he talked of 
her without any admiration whatever. 

Tiiere arc a great many steamers here just now, loaded with 
provisions and forage. The hands, except the officers, on these 
steamers care very little for soldiers, although they buy from 
and sell to them on all occasions. They have many rebel ar- 
ticles, such as arms and clulhing, which they probably have 



nCMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 53 

use for at home ; if not, these things should be, in many cases, 
returned or delivered to the government. 

AVe have moved dut some four or fire miles from the landing; 
and, having pitched our tents, we are told to remain till further 
orders. 

April 19. — Storm and rain deters our cavalrymen from scout- 
ing out very far, or advancing toward the rebel stronghold at 
Corinth, Mississippi. 

April 23. — The weatlier has become a great deal better, and 
the sun sliines out beautifully, making glad the face of nature. 
To-day wc all make more proper appearances publicly, than 
we were at all able to do during^^the recent stormy and tent 
filling weather. 

Lomax, a stout Tcnnesseeau, has joined us. He is much ac- 
quainted around this neighborhood, and is desirous of showing 
ns some fine positions and roads, that may hereafter do us good 
service. 

This morning our battalion was transferred to another com- 
mand, which was caused by our want of proper weapons. My 
letter to the Times explains the whole matter. It reads as fol- 
.lows: 

Messrs Editors: Owing to a deficiency of arms, we, to our 
lasting regret, are detached from the division of General Lew. 
Wallace, and are })laced in his rear, with Geneial Davis, of the 
second division. This, we trust, is but a temporary arrange- 
ment, and is the first step toward fnrnishitig us with proper 
arms, and rendering our elBciency more complete. What leads 
me to this belief is the fact, that on last evening we complied 
with an order Irom the commanding- general to return to the 
-proper quarter all our worthless firearms, which includes every 
pistol in our pt^ssession. It is said vre will receive Colt's re- 
volver's, which, I trust, is true, as they are the best weapon of 
the kind for army use, being the least liable of any to get out 
of order. 

AV^e are encamped a mile and a half from the landing, close 
to the ground the rebels lay on, under arms, the night of Sun- 
day, the memorable 6th of April last. The Slst Ohio is within 
a hundred yards of us, and the graves of Captain Armstrong 



54 nuMEKors adventuezs of a volunteer. 

and Lieutenant Post, of tliat regiment, are within tliirty feet of 
my tent. The bodies repose on top of one of the slight emi- 
Ecnces around us, on a spot marked out to his men, on the 
inorning of the battle, by Captain Armstrong, who told them 
that, in case he fell, he desired them to lay him there, with no 
more ceremony than that with which tlie commonest privates 
are interred. Noble, gallant soldier! how few you left behind 
you are lit to compare with you in all the excellent qualities 
which go to make up the man of honor. Alas, that all our of- 
ficers are not as you were. 

We have received intelligence that the enemy are about 
evacuating Corinth, and are falling back on Jackson, Missis- 
sippi — and "if so why so?'' We are not following them as 
closely as a hound would a hare. 

We have endured a four days' almost continual rain, and are 
nearly drowned out. The God of battle, intending to wash out 
the stain of human blood from the bosom of the earth, has sent 
this upon us for our sins; and so taking it, we " weathered the 
pelting of the pitiless storm " like Franzans : " Shine out, bright 
sun," etc. 

Captain Armstrong's father and brotlier have just arrived 
and are now engaged in raising the body of the late commander 
of company B, 8lst Ohio, in order to take it home. They seem 
much afl'ected'at their loss; yet, while they shed manly tears, 
find words to encourage the soldiers around them to the per- 
formance of their duties as men and as patriots. Brave hearts ! 
They are truly of the blood of the hero lying stark and stiff 
before them. 

We, the third battalion, expect to rejoin our other two bat- 
talions after receiving our new arms, which will be very grati- 
fying to the whole regiment, as, in that case, we will be under 
the eye of Colonel Taylor, and be battling in the van once 
more. Major Hayes is well liked by his men, and sees to their 
comfort as much as possilde. lie is veiy anxious to be again 
on duty, and leading his men against the foe. There is no dis- 
count on Major Hayes. The boys are all well again, or, as 
Pat Dignan says, "They could ait a cart horse and pull his 
load." They join me in sending their best respects to the Times. 



ETJMEKOUS ADYENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 55 

April 28, — This day has been somewhat nnfortunato to our 
company, as George Wansborougli Jias jnst died, and was 
^lioirly airer l>nried. lie was a most excellent young man, one 
who was well liked by all who knew him. His brother Arthur 
still remains with us. 

Lew. Wallace's division advanced to-day to Pea Kidge. There 
is very heavy firing this evening in that direction. Our regi- 
ment, and the 4th and lltli Illinois cavalry, is with his infantry 
and artillery. His advance is toward Purdy, near which we 
have burned three railroad bridges and captured and destroyed 
a locomotive, taking its engineer and four other persons on it 
prisoners. We have also driven the secesh cavalry and infantry, 
posted near Purdy, into the woods near by, killing eight and 
taking some thirty prisoners. 

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial w^ent with 

our regiment to know all about its transactions, and publish 

them, and his letter in regard to the matter, being better and 

fuller than I could write it, may describe what was accomplished 

in this expedition : 

"Camp Shiloh, Fivk Milks from PiTTSBfRG Landing,^ 
Weoiiesdav, April 3Uth, 18(52. \ 

"They pretty greatly err who calculate the amount of good 

accomplished and the amount of suffering and privation under- 
gone by the soldier in the present war, from the number of 
great battles in which he has been engaged, or the number of 
severe contests, hand to hand through which he has passed; 
and in civil life the remark is too frecjuently made, that such a 
regiment or such a company has done no service, because its 
name occupies no place in the long list of those who faced the 
rebel fire at a Donelson or Shiloh. People are slow to believe 
that in war especially, great results are often traceable to ap- 
parently trivial sources. The destruction of a railroad bridge 
lias been in many cases more detrimental to the "southern" 
cause, than the loss of a thousand men on the battle field; yet 
the former would n<;t justify, according to the views of ordinaiy 
newspaper readers, one tenth of the head lines and exclama- 
tions necessary to give the latter its due piominence in the 
columns of the daily papers. So mucli by way of intruduC' 
tiou. 



56 HUMEEOUS ADVENTUEE8 OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

"On Sunday morning, 28th, General Grant ordered General 
"Wallace to make a demonstration in ihe direction of Turdy, a 
town of about about eiolit hundred inh.abitants, twenty-.two 
miles distant from our camp; deriving a small degree of im- 
portance frrom its location on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. 
It is about twenty miles from Corinth on a direct railroad line. 
It was not known, when thl; expedition started, what force the 
rebels had at that point; but it was supposed they had a pretty 
strong garrison there, and were prepared to repel such a cavalry 
"dash" as is ordinarl)'- made for the destruction of railroad 
bridges. Accordingly it was determined to send a large force, 
a!id to make the attack partake of the nature of a surprise. 
Seven regiments of infantiy from General Wallace's division, 
including tlie 7Sth and SOtli Ohio, two batteries of artilier}^, 
and the -llh and 11th Illinois and 5th Ohio cavalry were ordered 
to be in readiness by noon, with three daj^'s cooked rations. 
The pre]:)erations in the camp in which I chanced to be at the 
time the order Avas received, (the destination was of course not 
stated,) were of such an extensive scale that I thought the lon^ 
expected meve against Corinth was about to be made, and 
without further deliberation resolved to proceed with Colonel 
Tay lot's regiment. 

We started at 2 o'clock P. M.; Wallace with the artillery and 
infantry in advance. Our road lay through the woods, swamps, 
and ravines, over "corduroy" bridges and swollen creeks, and 
through mud and water of every variety of depth and thickness. 
The weatlier, wlien we left camp, Avas very line, though very 
warm ; the sun, pouring his rays down on us with tropical vigor, 
made it uncomfortable to ride and latigueing to march ;~ and 
we luad proceeded but a few miles when the effect became 
visible in the many returning stragglers from the infantry regi- 
ments wiio lazily dragged their muskets and themselves in a 
homeward direction. 

y- "We passed a number of very respectable residences, the 
iirst of the kind seen by this army since its occupation of Titts- 
bnrg. They are all owned by woalthy men, every one of whom, 
we learnetl, are more or less identilied with the rebel cause ; 
sumo are in the Goufodcrate army; others contributed of theiv 



HUMEEOU3 ADVENTCEE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 57 

means to its support. A couple of officers stopped at one of 
the houses to ask for a drink of water. The inmates, an eldej-ly 
woman, two handsome daughters, and a few young- contrabands, 
appeared very much excited at the approach of the Federal 
warriors. Before the officers had time to state the peaceful ob- 
ject of their visit to the domicile, the elder lady eagerly ex- 
claimed : 

"He did n't mean to go, but they told him he must, or he 'd 
be took prisoner." 

"We would like to get a drink of water, if you please," said 
Captain H . " We are very thirsty." 

"Oh, yes ; certainly," replied the agreeably astonished mat- 
ron. " I thought as how ye had come after my son, because he 
was in the southern army." 

A conversation followed which resulted in the revelation that 
a son of the hostess had been drafted for Beauregard's army ; 
that he had fought at Pittsburg landing and was dangerously 
wounded in the lirst dciy's battle, lie was conveyed to Corinth. 
His mother became apprised of his condition, and immediately 
sought the Confederate militaiy authorities, of whom slie ob- 
tained a sick furlough for hiin. He is nov^ under the maternal 
roof but can not survive his injuries. 

At about C o'clock we halted in the woods, midway between 
Pittsburg and Purdy. After an hour's delay General Wallace 
ordered the infantry and artillery to bivouac for the niglit, and 
the cavalry to proceed to Purdy. The general himself made 
his headquarters for the night at a neat frame house in the 
neighboiliood. The woods were soon illuminated with the 
great fires the soldiers built, and around which they gathered 
to pass away the night. Strong picket guards were pctsted in 
every direction, so that the improvised Federal city in the wil- 
derness of Tennessee felt secure from a rebel surprise. 

"The cavalry, nuriiberiug in all about two thousand, continued 
its road to Purdy. Colonel Dickey,/d" the 4th Illinois, was in 
command. AVe had enjoyed a few hours of pleasant riding 
since 5 o'clock, but now our prospects changed, but not for the 
better. As evening changed into night, the sky became thickly 
clouded, and, in less than an hour after our second start, tho 



58 HUMEKOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUKTEEE. 

rain brgr.n to. fall in torrents. The road grew, worse and worse, 
as we advanced, and the night darker every hour. We pro- 
ceeded, however, making our way by the dim outlines of the 
forest on either side of us. • AVe had a guide, but he was a poor 
one, and had less confidence in himself than we had in him. 
The rain continnod ; at times it was fiirioue. A great many of 
the men Avere unprovided with overcoats or water-proof blank- 
ets, but the word was, ' Forward to Purdy.' 

"What was hitherto darkness became impenetrable black- 
ness until we could not discern an object three feet ahead of 
us. Consider two thousand men now galloping along a narrow 
road, now wading through a black swamp, and once or twice 
almost swimming a swiftly running creek, and all this in- the 
darkest nj,ght that any of the tw^o thousand men ever saw. 
The 'clashing of arms' was for once a welcome noise, and it 
formed the only guide by which we were enabled to keep to- 
gether. 

"At about 12 o\dock we came to a halt about two miles from 
Purdy, Colonel Dickey fearing, and very properly, that the 
whole party would get lost before morning. As it was, a num- 
ber of the men abandoned tlie hope of being able to keep up 
with us, and had remained along the road beliind us. A whole 
company at one time declared their inability to proceed ; and 
still it rained harder tiian ever. 

"After standing still an hour, under the 'pelting of the pitiless 
storm,' 'About face' was ordeied, and we started for the point 
where we loft the infantry, arriving tlicre just at dayh'ght. Here 
the men were ordered to dismount and feed their horses. Tlie 
effect of the night's 'tram]-)' Avns visible in eveiy countenance. 
]V[any of onr stoutest and hardiest men gave out altogether, arjd 
were conij)elh'd to return to camp. Some of them laid down 
on the roadside, glad to seize this opporlnnit}' of nn hour's 
'rest,' even though the rain beat heavilv on their closed eye- 
lids. 

"At 5 o'clock .the order was given for the cavalry to return — 
not to camp, but to Purdy. Many of us received the order 
with dissatisfaction, and some obej'ed it with reluctance. Col- 
onel Taylor, of the 5th 0. V. C, was taken seriously ill, (he 



nUMEROUS ADYENTCKE3 OF A VOLUNTEEB. 51) 

was quite unwell wlien we left camp,) and could not command 
his regiment. The lieutenant colonel, also, was compelled from 
sickness to abandon his intention of returning ; so the command 
devolved upon the senior major, E. G. Eicker, an oihcer who 
has given Irequent proofs of his efficiency and valor. The 
entire cavalry force started back, and in a couple of hours were 
in Piu'dy. They were disappointed to learn that about one 
hundred rebels, who had garrisoned the place, had left just in 
time to save themselves. 

"Colonel -Dickey sent a small force to skirmish two miles be- 
low Purdj'-, (there were three thousand rebels at Bethel, four 
miles below,) while another force destroyed the railroad bridge, 
two mihjs above it. The work was soon accomplished; the 
bridge was torn up, and the connection between Purdy and 
Corinth completely destroyed. AVhile the men were at work, 
a locomotive with four men — two olhcers, one engineer, and a 
firen^an — came from Bethel to ascertain what was the matter. 
I should have said that our men had cut their telegraph wires 
also; this caused the alarm at Bethel. Our skirmisheis with- 
drew, let the locomotive pass by to where the road was torn 
up, and then issued forth to demand a surrender. The four 
men were taken prisoneis, the locomotive destro^'ed, and thus 
ended the expedition. None of our men were killed by the 
enemy, but I fear tliat many of them will die fron: exposure to 
the inclement weather, and the fatigue of the trip experienced 
by all. 

"The cavalry returned to camp last night, the infantry and 
artillery this morning. After what we had gone through, our 
leaky tents appeared to us like metropolitan hotels. I will 
speak for myself, and say I want no more expeditions for several 
days to come." 

The above letter is from " Mack," and a very good one it is, 
indeed. May he never make one of a party in such leakiness 
hereafter. 

April 20.— There is heavy firing heard to-day in the direction 
of Corinth, toward which place several of our regiments have 
gone. A large number of our men have permanentl}'^ moved 
in that direction to day. Sixty or eighty rebel prisoners have 



60 nUMEROUS ADVEKTUEES OF A VOLUNTSEE. 

been cfiptnrcd and bronglit in here. One of tlienv is a serious 
minded soutlierner, and has attempted to cut one of Ids guardsi, 
an officer, who sat near him at dinner, on a steamer which has 
several secessionists, as prisoners, on board. This kind of work 
will do him as little good here as all his fighting did in better 
and easier points. 

Aj'Til 30. — Our battalion is ordered out again to-day under 
General Davis. Our supposed destination is near Corinth. We 
have just received news of the capture of Yoi'ktown, A^irginia., 
and our boys feel very joyous over such good intelligence. 
Many of us are seeking newsjiapers, but they seem so scarce 
at present tliat it is an extremely difficult matter to obtaiti the 
sight of one. 

Our worthless pistols are returned to us. Colt's revolvers not 
to be had. This we dislike; as the pistols we left Camp Den^ 
nison with are nearly all worthless. Our gallant officer, Major 
Scherer, who has taught all of us sabre exercise, and is loved 
by all of us, is here. 

May 1. — We have advanced six miles on the Corinth road, 
and encamped for the night. 

May 2. — We were to-day attached to the second division, 
under General Davis. About 2 o'clock P. M. we arrived at 
Monterey, some ten miles from Shiloh church, meeting many 
sick soldiers on the route, who generally complain of our want 
of a sufficient number of surgeons and hospitals. Some of 
them seem c]uite uncared for, and suffer very much under the 
circumstauces. 

General Ilalleck has arrived. He is well thought of here. 
lie is a proper commander-in-chief, and his orders M'ill be 
obej'-ed with joyous alacrity always. May his sh^idow never be 
less. 

31ai/ 4. — To-day I have been attending to the discharge of 
our sick men, four in number. There seems great trouble in 
obtaining their ceitilicates. The doctor here seems to love 
brandy too well to examine them promptly ; therefore, they 
will be compelled to remain here a while longer. 

Captain John Crawford, our old eommander, has just arrived 
by steamer from Cincinnati, determined to serve his country 



nUMEROUS ADVEKTCKES OF A VOLUNTEER. Gl 

99 a Tolnntecr and sharp sliooter as long as possible. He met 
with a great reception ironi his oM friends, to whom lie brought 
many necessary articles. Ilis kind and gentlemanly qualities 
have always been noticeable, and will forever be respected. 
He left his six shooter gun and all his clothing on the steamer, 
and, on his order, I procured them all from the mate, and de- 
livered them all to the captain. The mate seemed to know that 
Captain Crawford was a soldier all through the Mexican wai-, 
and would not receive any payment from me for keeping these 
things safely. 

The roads are horrid as we move along, there having been 
a rain storm for two days past. There is great destruction of 
government property all along the route, such as wagons, har- 
ness, mules, and horses. Horrid smells from half- buried ani- 
mals constantly greet our olfactories. Futrifying bodies of 
horses still remain above ground, causing many cases of sick- 
ness. 

We still remain unarmed, except with sabres. The enemy 
are reported to have formed in double line of battle three miles 
this si<le of Corinth. The rebels are supposed to number very 
nearly one hundred thousand in that vicinity. 

All our wagon trains are mov'ing forward now without any 
gpards, as there can be little or no danger in this neigborhood. 
We move along slowly but securely, the mud being the greatest 
obstacle to our progress. The rebel force is no longer scattered 
about this neigl)orhood as it used to be, but has concentrated 
in and around Corinth. 

May h. — General' Davis has ordered our major to send an 
account of our arms and amunition to him immediately, as we 
are to move on very soon. The major reports fifteen rounds of 
cartridges for each sabre, we not having firearms to shoot cart- 
ridges from. Bully for the sabres. 

Yesterday, Pope's division, moving on the left from Ham- 
burg toward Corinth, through a swampy road and over high 
hills, came towards Farmington, a small place, highly situated 
beyond an almost impassible ravine. Generals Faine and 
Falmer did the greatest part of the work here about 10 o'clock 
A. M. They commanded the 10th, IGth, 22d, 27th, 42d, and 



63 nUMEROUS ABVENTUKES 07 A VOLUNTEER. 

51st Illinois ; the 10th and lOth Michio-an, with Yates's sharp- 
shooters ; Iloughtailing's Illinois, and Hazcock's Ohio batteries, 
with the 2d Michigan cavalry. They, after proceeding four or 
five miles, encountered the enemy's pickets, whom they soon 
drove off from behind trees and in thickets. All the bridges 
which had been destroyed were rebuilt by Colonel Bissell'a 
sappers and minors. 

At 3 o'clock P. M. the fight commenced in earnest, the enemy 
commanding the road ; and we would not have gained the hill 
side where the rebels had placed four pieces of cannon and 
were now firing them at us, but the 10th Illinois, under Colonel 
Morgan, and Yates's sharpsliooters detoured to the right and 
left, and poured such fires of musketry upon the enemy as sent 
their gunners in great confusion over the hill top to their second 
position, where they formed their second line of battle. This 
was to the right of the Farmington road, and near a thickly 
wooded country, and was close to an old cotton gin where a 
strong artillery duel took place, and great chivalry was shown 
on both sides, until some of our infantry, gaining their left flank, 
sent such a terrible fire at them, that they ran into the woods 
as though his Satanic majesty were after them. They fled in 
the direction of Corinth, pursued by our cavalry, Avliile the in- 
fantry entered the three-housed and noble southern city of 
Farmington. Near here we began intrenching along our whole 
front, as all our positions Avere lound tenable; and it was done 
very c|uickly, especially by Pope's men, who can throw up and 
manage the soil as well as they can fight. These works are 
made strongly and soon settle, and arc all constructed with em- 
brassures for field pieces. The telegraph to the commander's 
tent is also in operation, and we have complete possession of 
all our positions. 

'JIai/ 1-. — The weather continues warm and drj'-, and favors 
our advance which we have accomplished today, having moved 
four miles on our left flank. Captain Crawford is out in front 
skirmisliing, whiclj he has so often bravely done, that to-day 
General Sherman offered him a position on his staff; but our 
captain rcsjiectfully declined it, because ho docs not want to 
leave us, even as aid to so great a general. 



HUMEROCS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 63 

^ May IT). — AVe have advanced again, after much skirmishing 
with the enemy's pickets. 

Our battalion quartermaster has left the service because he 
held no position as an officer. Captain Crawford has received 
orders from our major to leave camp, on account of jealousy 
between some of the officers. This the men will not stand, if 
they can avoid it, and we have written a petition to Major Gen- 
eral Hallcek stating all he has done for us, that he recruited 
the company, wliy he cam.e out here, and that he is doing great 
service since his arrival. Our old, gentlemanly', soldierly cap- 
tain has returned, having received papers of coui])linicnt, and 
made captain of scouting ])arties by General Ilalleck ; and 
ordered to report himself to General Davis, and remain where 
he is as long as he thinks proper. lie is now doing strong 
duty from 7 o'clock A.. M. to G P. M. He is doing splendid 
service every day, and as we are now but seventeen hundred 
yards from the enemy's outer works, and have sharp skirmish- 
ing, the attempts to shoot him are numerous, and liis heroism 
has become well known all along the front. To-day a red- 
shirted rebel, armed with a sort of a mule cannon, which dis- 
charges shots of about one pound weight, is firing from a top 
fence rail near a rebel house on an eminence where are somo 
two companies of secessionists, who occasionally dodge to the 
corners in order tcf tire with security at our pickets and scouts. 
This house affording shelter to the enemy, and therefore deter- 
ing our men from an advance, is an eyesore to us. The several 
attempts which Captain Crawford has made to take it, has given 
him an introduction to Redshirt, who, for the purj^ose of rec- 
ognizing the acquaintance, proving his social qualities, and at 
the same time testifying his respect for the captain, gives him 
an occasional salute with his one pounder. This the haughty 
captain refuses to acknowledge by so much as a bow. To the 
first salute he responded by touching his hat, and now he has 
commenced to return salute for salute. The third resi)onse of 
the gallant captain seems to have mightily pleased Redshirt. 
He throws out his hands, springs into the air, drops to the earth, 
rolls and tumbles on the ground like a circus performer, and 
finally stretches himself out stiff, cold, dead, possibly from pure 



64 HUMEE0U8 ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

excess of joy. Kow follows a clash from onr lines and our 
skirmishers have captured both the position and the mule can- 
non. 

On the trees were manj^ Indians bclono-ing to Price's troops, 
who, safely planted on limbs, had fired at us. Several of these 
we killed, tlie balance, like their rebel friends, beat a hasty re- 
treat as we advanced. 

A dashing aide de camp endeavored to send two of us across 
a creek we came to this afternoon, but failing to do so, in he 
went himself; but was washed off immediately, as it was some- 
what deeper and swifter than he imagined. lie only saved 
himself by clinging to his horse's tail and getting across to the 
other bank. 

Mot/ 10. — The weather here is changeable. It rained all 
last night. We were all in line of liattle, except some builders 
of breastworks who are engaged in the advance. Tlie rebels 
advanced here to-day with heavy firing ; but were shelled out 
quickly. Our musketry has felled at least a dozen of them, 
whose bodies are on the ground in what is now our rear. Two 
of our cavalry boys were shot, one of whom was killed almost 
instantly. 

Our men were sixty hours on the last picket duty. There 
was a hot spot, near the enemy, to which our battalion was led 
without any orders except those of the majo'r. Here Sergeant 
Alexander Howe, of company E, was shot through the upper 
part of the arm, the same bullet passing through the body of 
an infantry soldier, killing him instantly. Sergeant Brawley, 
also of E company, was killed at the same time. Is it possible, 
as is said, that some officers would gladly tramp over the bodies 
of their own men in order to secure rank? If such is the case 
it surely "smells rank to Heaven." 

3Iai/ I'l. — ^To-day our picket lines have been advanced five 
hundred yar.ls, and our breastworks extend along the entire 
ii'ont in parallels. Everything around us indicates a good con- 
dition, and if we do not push seeossionism to the wall in the 
coming battle, it will be no fault uf General Ilalleck's. To-day 
we are raising observations by rigging mast fashion a large 
tree that stands about twenty-five feet inside our intreuchments ; 



HDMEROUS ADVENTORES OF A VOLUNTEER. G5 

and the -workmen assert that from the top they can sec already 
a steeple in Corinth. When they have added the step to the 
tree trunk already cradled, they will have the point of observ- 
ation at an altitude of one hundred and twenty or one hundred 
and thirty feet, and can command a perfect view of the sur- 
rounding country. I wonder if it can be here a mere step to 
the top of a steeple ; or, only a step from the cradle to the pul- 

p"- . . -J 

May 23. — The. weather is warm and dry again. We had 
considerable sklrmishiug along our left and center last night. 
" Nobody hurt." '_ 

Pat D., while on picket duty last night, gave chase to a sil- 
. ver tailed squirrel which he had no chance to capture. -; On his 
return he told a story about "a heifer at home wid a hundred 
pounds cash, had left him, like an ass, because of a ruction he 
had." Here his story was interruped by an infantryman on 
guard'near him exclaiming: "Ah, look out for the rebel fire." 
Pat nimbly dodged behind a tree, and looking through the un- 
dergrowth saw what he took to be a rebel rifle pointed straight 
at him ; but which proved to be only the horn of an innocent 
cow grazing in the woods. 

May 24. — There are all kinds of rumors in regard to our de- 
lay. Birds are in song and drums are constantly beating. 
Soldiers just now are about the quietest animals living. One 
among us, however is not as quiet as his comrades, and he, by 
his appearance, words, and actions, is some pumpkins certainly. 
He is as proud of himself as a peacock, and imagines he is 
not only an object of great interest here, but will be regarded 
by all his friends, male and female, on his return home, as the 
hero of H company. His little coquetries with himself, and 
their air of importance, the self complacency of his strut, and 
his general good opinion of himself, publicly expre'ssed on all 
occasions, greatly contribute to relieve the monotony consequent 
upon a state of inaction in the arm3^ " He who dotli my 
words misplace shall meet Bombastes face to face." His stories 
of conquest of the female race are enormous, and, if true, give 
him a place far beyond the gallants of France or England, in 
the times of the Grand Monarch of one, or the Merry Monarch 
5 



06 HUMEEOUS ADVENTUKE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 

of the other. The sobriquet of the Ljttle Corporal ticldes him 
immensely, since tie knows that such was the title conferred 
upon Napoleon by his soldiers after one of his daring feats of 
bravery. When the generals call upon us for ordierlies, K. is 
the readiest volunteer in the battalion for that duty, and feels 
greatly depressed when reminded that his diminutive stature 
renders 1dm ineligible. He is engaged, on this account, for 
twenty duels, to be fought as soon as the war is over. He will 
doubtless fight them if we are in luck as we expect to be. 
Sergeant C. is devoted to the infernal gods for refusing the cor- 
2>oral's tender of himself on one of these occasions, when a 
taller young fellow was preferred. 

The pockets of our little friend are literally crammed with ' 
photographs of female friends, who were so overcome at the 
corporal's departure for the seat of war, that the least favor any 
of them granted was her limned likeness to carry to the tented 
Held. The corporal's acquaintances say that he took two of 
these pictures without the consent of the fair originals. He 
attributes these "tales of a friend" to envy, however, and so the 
matter rests. 

Our first and second battalions received five hundred of 
Colt's revolvers to-day. It is to be hoped that all will be armed 
with these excellent weapons soon. 

Major Ricker is now in command, both of our colonels being 
absent on furlouo-h. 

o 

During the past two hours there has been heavy firing on 
our left. Seven hundred rebels have deserted and come inr to 
us. One of their cavalry regiments also started to come in, 
but our pickets fired upon them and caused them to beat a 
hasty retreat. 

The weather is so dry that we have to drink swamp water, 
which we find decidedly unpleasant. Our pickets find great 
difficulty in procuring their meals at a proper time. Tobacco 
is in great demand, and its scarcity causes an occasional diy 
joke. 

"Give us a chaw of tobaker, comrade," said one soldier to 
another. 

. " What kind '11 ye have,^' asked his friend, at the same time 



HUMER0U8 ADVENTUKE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 67 

coolly biting a large cud out of a chunk lie had in his hand. 
" Mine's dimmjcratic terbacker, and therefore bound to be the 
best." 

" Mine's republican — when I have it, and it is therefore well 
mouthed by friend and foe," answered No. 1, looking wistfully 
at No. 2's plug as it descended into the depths of the owner's 
otherwise empty pockets. 

"Oh ho, republican, hey ?" responded No. 2. "Well, then, 
you'd better apply to our friends, the secesh yonder, who are. 
even noM- plugging away at us. They'll supply you with as 
much nigger head as you want." 

May 28. — There has been heavy and almost continuous firing 
on our left wing since 11 o'clock last night. Pope and Nelson 
are engaged. 

2 P. M. — Hurlburt, on our right is now at it with his artil- 
lery and musketry. Captain Crawford has been engaged with 
him, and has now come in with orders for our division, under 
General Davis, to advance, and plant some pieces so as to rake 
a field in the immediate front of our position, where the lines 
of the enemy seem the strongest, and behind which are his 
breastworks. 

The right and center are both at work, and the way the shot 
and shell "spread" themselves is astonishing to a pacific indi- 
vidual. Captain Crawford in leading to show General Davis 
tiie position for his guns, narrowly escaped death. AVhile in 
the act of firing from his horse, (which I loaned him,) one of a 
shower of balls from the enemy, struck and went through the 
horn of his saddle. The position of his body alone saved his 
life ; for, had he been sitting straight upon the animal at the 
time, he could not have escaped being struck in a vital part. 
General Davis's artillery rakes the enemy with such across 
fire, that they stand not npon the order of their going, but go 
at once, belter, skelter, across the field, into the woods and over 
their breastworks. 

May 20. — The weather is extrcmelj^ warm yet, and there is 
but little air stirring. Yesterday was a glorious day for us. 
We'drove the rebels back along the whole line for over a mile, 
capturing, it is said, a large number of prisoners, ox-Governor 



68 nUMEROUS ADVENTDRES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

Beriali Magofiin, of Kentucky, among them. Onr men were 
eno-ao-ed in building new breastworks last night, and have them 
fully completed this morning. We have heard the drums beat- 
ing in Corinth for several days, but this evening they seem few 
and far between. General Halleck has moved his camp for- 
ward gome two or three miles. Yesterday he ordered out re- 
connoitering columns on the right, left, and center, to unmask 
the enemy's batteries; but they encountered strong opposition, 
the ground being so hotly contested as to compel them to fall 
back again. Our loss in killed and wounded was about fifty. 
The woods in all directions are so bad that we have to feel our 
way as we move along. 

There is great noise heard to-night on the railroad at Corinth, 
as though the enemy was moving off in large nuui^l^ers, and 
that place was being evacuated. General Pope has requested 
permission to take his division and capture the place and the 
troops and stores yet remaining there. The commanding gen- 
eral refuses permission because he has no official intelligence 
of the movements of the rebels. 

May oQ. — ^This morning with a letter from Captain Thompson 
to a regiment in Sherman's divison, I mounted my horse at 6 
o'clock and was about to gallop off, when we heard the noise 
and saw the smoke occasioned by several loud explosions in 
the direction of Corinth. A few minutes later and we had the 
official report that the rebels had certainly evacuated the place. 
T started off in that direction, and passed the greater part of 
M. L. Smith's brigade, which was rapidly moving in the direc- 
tion of Corinth. The town was almost entirely deserted, most 
of the citizens having left with Beauregard's'^rmy the night 
previous. The enemy had fired a large hotel near the depot, 
and several commissary and quartermaster stores, together 
with arms, arnunition, M'agons and harness. These were all 
more numerous than we had supposed. There were many 
abandoned rebel camps, from some of which but few articles 
had been l*emoved. In these molasses, rice, bacon, and cooking 
utensils were scattered around in great profusion. There-^vero 
several houses still burning when we arrived, near some of 
which w<ere cannon balls, shot, and shells. There was also cod- 



HUMEROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEES. 69 

siderable other property which was neither carried olT nor de- 
stroyed.. It seems that the enemy has for some time been 
engaged in removing their valuable stores, sick, and a portion 
of their effective forces, on the railroad. Most of the latter, 
however, marched oJS* toward Okalona, a place on the Mobile 
and Ohio railroad, and upwards of one hundred miles from 
here. They went by the road towards Rienzi and Danville,, to 
which places the greater part of our army has followed them, 
capturing some three hundred of their men. General Pope's 
division, having been the first to take the intrenchments here, 
is in the advance. Had this general been permitted to break 
the railroad in the rebel rear, as he desired to do a few days 
ago, the forces of Beauregard never would have escaped as 
they have done, ► 

Strong breastworks had been thrown up between all the roads 
and along the front of a ridge about a mile from Corinth. The 
great strength of these defences would have offered an almost 
insurmountable obstacle to our occupation of the place, if the 
rebels had determined to hold it. Corinth is a finel}- built little 
town. It has a strength of position beyond what we imagined, 
and a stubborn defense on the part of the Confederates, if it 
had not kept us out of the place entirely, would at least have 
given us more trouble and cost more blood than its strategic 
importance demands, . 

May 31. — General Pope's division is meeting 'with great 
success in its pursuit of the rebels, having arrived at Boonville 
before daylight this morning. Two thousand rebel soldiers with 
their arms and amunition have been captured. They have also 
blowm up a culvert, destroyed the railroad track, and taken a 
railroad locomotive and train of thirty cars loaded with supplies 
of all kinds. They took at the ssme place about ten thousand 
stand of arms, and a great supply of quartermaster and ord- 
nance stores. 

The roads are filled with flying rebel pickets, many of whom 
are captured by our cavalry. There are three captured loco- 
motives here at Corinth, two of wdiich are in running order. 
A bridge over the Tuscumbia river was to-day destroyed by the 
enemy. Another one not far off was set fire to, but was saved 



70 nUMEUOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLDNTEER. 

by Oaptuiu Crawford, who tied a bucket to a long pole and 
dipped sufficient water from the river for that purpose. . 

Captain Crawford was among the very first of our men who 
entered Danville. He was shot at several times by guerrillas, 
six of whom he and another man captured at the time. 

/w«g 2, 186*2.— Our woik being nearl}"- completed here now 
by the capture of Corinth, Captain Crawford, after a long search, 
has succeeded in finding General Halleck's headquartes, where 
lie has had his papers signed and, to-morrow he leaves us for 
home. , 

June 3. — Captain Crawford, McC, and myself have started 
for Pittsburg landing, the former to obtain passage on a steamer 
to Cincinnati, McC. and myself to bid our friend good bye, and 
assist him with his luggage. We-passed Monterey after break- 
fast time,' where there are a thousand sick soldiers slioltered 
only by tents. The most plentiful production of this section of 
country, judging by the present state of the roads, is mud. 
There would have been much hunger in our party, but that v/e 
happened to see a good Samaritan, who keeps a bake shop by 
the road side, and, for the money, supplied all our wants. There 
were but few steamers nearthe landing wlieii we arrived, and 
it required two hours' hard work for 'the captain to secure, a 
passage. All things at last being ready for his departure, we 
sorrowfully bade him farewell and returned to camp. The 
relics of several fields, together with the letters from our boys, 
which he takes home with him, would almost load a good sized 
w^agon. 

June 4. — Pope has advanced beyond Danville with Nelson's, 
McCook's, Davis's, and Buell's commands, all being in pursuit 
of the lining rebels ; while Sherman, Hurlburt, and others have 
gone some twenty miles out on the Memphis and Charleston 
railroad, in the direction of the former place. The 1st Ohio 
cavalry captured a whole company of Louisiana Tigers yester- 
day. They are nearly all' foreigners, and a very hard looking 
set. 

June 6. — Our battalion is encamped two miles beyond Cor- 
inth, near the plantation and Blue Sulphur springs of a southern 
Bkedaddler, who, taking liis negroes with him, left the place as 



HUMEROCS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 71 

a hospital, where three southern wounded soldiers remain, with 
three Memphis ladies as nurses, and a widow with her son-in- 
law and daughter, who have possession of the premises. This 
place is situated near a swamp, and the idea of making a 
pleasure ground and erecting a ten-pin alley here is rather re- 
markable, as the place is unfit for any sort of pleasure what- 
ever. 

Jane 7. — The; houses at Corinth are being cleaned out, some 
of them for hospitals ; and the filth accumulated here by un- 
clean persons, together with a large amount of stores, and dead 
bodies of horses, are being taken away or burned up by our 
men. 

June 8. — The rebels are supposed to be in some force across 
the Tuscumbia river, under Beauregard. Price's army is almost 
entirely broken up, as one of his men who has deserted to us 
reports. The deserter is an Ohioan, and informs us of the total 
demoralization of the rebel army. ..' T ' ' *", 

I have just been over to Hurlburt's [division, the tents of 
which are rather empty just now, tlie greater number of the 
men being still engaged in the grand rebel hunt. There are 
several empty secesh tents on th,e ten miles of road, ,between 
here and Hurlburt's camps, in and around which I have picked 
up quite a variety of weapons, principally large knives which 
look like small sabres. Forage is very scarce. We receive 
but one sack of corn or oats for thirty-five horses, and no hay 
whatever. 

Jane 10. — On my return to Corinth to-day I met Colonel 
Taylor, Major Scherer, Adjutant Schultz, Adjutant Harrison, 
and a sutler, all of our regiment, and are seeking our first and 
second battalions, wliicli are attaclied to Hurlburt's division. 
This division has moved out on the Memphis and Charleston 
railroad twelve miles farther. My meeting with these officers 
was glad and joyous, as they are all true gentlemen." The 
paymaster. Major McDowell, has liquidated all debts of the 
government to this division, except our unfortunate regiment. 
Our continued absence is the cause of his apparent neglect of 
us. 

June 11. — Buell's whole covps (Varmce has returned. The 



72 nUMEEOUS AD^TENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

rebels have oiftrun us and got beyond sight and hearing in as 
masterly a manner as they evacuated Corinth and Danville, the 
latter place being a town of a dozen houses inhabited by pre- 
tended Unionists. There is a soldier in the 10th Kentucky 
who seems to be a great architectural genius. He has built a 
shelter for himself, out of cane, (which is plenty where they 
were camped, near Rienzi,) which has regular arcades, windoAvs, 
and doors. In fact it is an elegant summer residence, and is 
.kept in as good order by the men as though its occupants were 
lady housekeepers Avhose greatest pride was to excel every one 
else in neatness. 

Dewberries and blackberries are now very plentiful here. 
Pigs and cows are by no means scarce. Whose are they? 
We have been unable to make the personal acquaintance of 
their owners, but the property has been left in our care, and — 
we are caring for it the best we know how. Pies of the ber- 
ries, made almost daily, lard and fresh pork from the pigs, and 
milk from the cows, make np a dinner too good for the service 
but bully for the sojers. 

June 12. — Tlie weather is very warm. Mosquitoes have "ar- 
riv." There are thousands of ants that seem -to be a thousand 
years old. Oak bottoms and running streams, (the latter nu- 
merous, but nearly all in the process of obeyingthe oftrepeated 
injunction to "dry up,") are extremely beautiful in this neigh- 
borhood. 

Our new quartermaster, Lieutenant Owens, feeds us well at 
present. A new broom sweeps clean. Blackberry patches 
are plenty about here; but our neighbors pretend great ignor- 
ance in regard to their whereabouts, even when they can be 
seen from their own doors. They hate to enlighten us on any 
subject, we suppose, which has the black connected with it. 
We hope they '11 soon hury the hatchet and jpaich their con- 
sciences. 

McCook's brigade has just passed b}- here on its way to 
Corinth. The men seem in high spirits, being under the im- 
pression they are leaving forever this barren, sickly soil. Their 
supposed destination is Memphis, by the river. 

Boonville, ten miles south of us, is a gay place, of about the 



HUMEKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 73 

dimensions of a pocket map, and as variegated. None of the 
citizens of this phice have made boon companions of our boy's 
yet, by means of correct scientific observations, we arc enabled 
to calculate, with a groat degree of accuracy, the strength of 
their stomachs, and their immense capacity for forty-rod tangle 
foot. 

Our privates, sitting in private judgement on their superiors, 
and listening to each other's arguments pro and con, are trying 
to settle the question whether Grant's surprise at Shiloh, or 
Halleck's at Corinth, was the greater. They seem to put it 
down as a fact, that " we were surprised at Shiloh; but that 
being granted^ they say that the enemy's evacuation of Corinth 
is a h — / {of a) lick on us. Pat Dignan has added our com- 
mander-in-chief to the long list of illustrious Irishmen, because 
he clothes even the roads in corduroy^ and strews them witli 
shilelalP 

June 14. — Our battalion got back last night about 7 o'clock, 
from beyond Rienzi, a place near Baldwin, which is on the 
railroad, of imposing appearauce, but nearly depopulated from 
fear at our approach. It is nearly as large as Corinth, and seems 
to have been quite a business place in days lately passed. We 
do n't lament the departure of frightened citizens, who must 
have been a barefaced set to strip the town so naked on the 
approach of us inquisitive strangers. 

A member of our battalion whose skill since he has been in 
the army, has been excercised principally in a successful search 
after whisky, is accused by his mess of having vermin, and to 
definitely settle this vexing question, they unavaillngly search 
him. At the conclusion of the ceremony he, with a show of 
anger, said : 

" I can hear a louse walk. It is therefore useless for vermin 
to make a race course over my body." 

There is some doubt as to the " hear him comin'" part of the 
remark. 

4 o'clock P, M.' — "NYeare ordered to report to Colonel Hickey, 
being transferred to his brigade, which is just formed, and is 
composed of the 5th Ohio cavalry, the dth and ITth Illinois 
cavalry, and another regiment not yet designated. We are to 



74 HUMEK0U8 ADVENTUSE8 OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

advance along the Memphis railroad to look after the enemy 
and his guerrillas. 

No pay yet for us. All the other Ohio troops have received 
their pay from Major McDowell j why are we made the excep- 
tion. There is six months pay due us, and our families need 
funds very much. 

The drums are beating the tattoo. " Lights out." But I 
must steal a moment from military authority and the darkness, 
to record the fact that, among the innumerable frogs about us, 
and now engaged in a rivalry of song, we have one regular 
Brignoli of a fellow; wdiose mellow notes, under a proper cul- 
tivation, would more than ' equal those of the rotund tenor in 
whose honor we have named him, Brignoli, second, is, just 
now, engaged in the " Miserere," and will probably soon give 
us his "Non ti scordar di me." It must be in honor of this 
'melodist that some of our officers wear frogged coats. Were 
our prodigy to be heard in some of our large cities, we would 
doubtless have the "frog tie," the "frog, hop," and possibly 
several old f(r)ogies would meet him with "the grandest recep- 
tion ever tendered to any one, in this city, or;, it is believed, 
the West." 

How delightfully the moon, with its calm, glowing face, shines 
down upon these warlike scenes, seeming to throw rebuking 
glances at the elements of strife surrounding us. Our tents, 
coming up like so many ghostly shadows in the foreground of 
the wood, remind one of the lost spirits wandering about in the 
'darkest gloom of Pluto's regions ; and the stillness of. the lately 
so merry camp, now sunk in a secure repose, ;vvhich,' may, at 
any moment, have a terrible awakening, lead to reflections 
that one would well wish to avoid. 

" But see! the clouds are floating fast and far, 
Each by the moon tipped with a silver hue; 
But here and there we note a gleaming star, 
Like angels smiling through the opening blue." 

June 15. — Sunday is t6 all, except soldiers, a day of rest, 
and the peals of church bells direct the thoughts, or rather the 
imagination, to Ilim who has proclaimed " Peace and good 
■will upon, earth." Alas! no silver toned Sabbath music sounds 
for the occupant of the canip ; the shrill fife and rattling drum 



HDMEEOUS ADVEjS'TURES OF A VOLUNTEEH. j 5 

proclaim far different duties. The weatlier to-day is exceed- 
ingly warm, creating a drowsy sort of laziness, which soldiers 
are rather noted for. Those of us who can force locomotion 
for a hundred yards, have a good antidote against this in the 
creek ; which has, at one place, a sufficient depth of wj[iter to 
afford good bathing, of which many take advantage to their 
their physical and mental comfort. The Sulphur spring is in 
close proximity, and soldiers far and near come to obtain a 
drink or ifill their canteens. This water is highly impregnated 
with iron and sulphur, and is an excellent tonic, for which ^11 
of us can vouch, many of us having been, relieved of debility 
through its frequent use. This water springs up through; a 
perforated marble basin, at the rate of twenty gallons orinore 
per hour. It is very cool, and is also very delicious to the 
taste. The proprietor of this place, a doctor of secesh procliv- 
ities, ran away with his, negroes on our approach, leaving the 
house in care of a widow, who still remains there, and with 
whom are half a dozen w'ounded rebel soldiers. These are 
attended by two rebel nurses of the female persuasion. One 
of the men has just died of fever, ancj two others ran away as 
sooti' as they were able to get off'. There is now but one of them 
-remaining. He desires to take the oath of -us, and return lo his 
friends in Arkansas. He is very intelligent, and desires heartily 
-that the war will sooivhave an end. . As to the nurses, they are 
.fire-eaterstoan intense degree; but their heated words are of 
far, more inflamable material than the modicum of chajcp:^ ^a 
ture has provided them with. / , .r- "; ; 

Our quartermaster, Lieutenant Owens, is drawing very well 
on the commissary department at Pittsburg landing, and tiie 
subaistance w^ill, in the future, bo abundant. We, of II com- 
pany, haves, at present, but two boxes of army crackers, and 
four days rations of coff"ee. This is very short, as we es,pect 
orders to move to-day. 

We have picked up many loose secesh articles, Jately,, in 
southern camps, not far from us. Pat D'ignau has just returned 
from one, bringing two emblems ; one of war, the other ol 
peace; in the shape 6f a ^ pipe aod a shorts sword, the latter 
about two feeV long and- half as, broad. It is a trcmouduus 



TG HUMEKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

■weapon, seemingly well calculated for close quarters, and used 
originally, it is presumed, as a cane cutter on some sugar plant- 
ation in the South. , The chivalry, finding them less, useful in 
chopping up Yankees than in chopping down sugar crops, leave 
them jn disgust all over the country wherever they happen to 
camp. 

June 15. — We are ordered to Corinth by companies, this 
afternoon, to receive four months pay. We need it, and will 
make the best possible use of it, by sending it to our families 
instanter. 

June 16.-r^I felt very ill to-day with the debility which has 
strongly afi'ected me since I contracted disease at Crump's 
landing; and I have got a furlough, which has beeu signed by 
our captain and Dr. Davies, for twenty days. I feel grateful 
for this, as dyspepsia has taken up its terrible abode in my 
stomach, which I had hoped I was rid of; but hard fare and 
the really necessary exposure of camp life, have somewhat 
dashed my hopes in this respect, and I suffer very much in 
consequence. :\>:.ii^i uij . 

1 reached Pittsburg'lafl'dirig this evening, and departed before 
dark, on board the good steamer Horizon, for home. There 
are a large number of officers on board, from the artillery, in- 
fantry, and cavalry arms of the service, who do not seem to be 
very great sufferers from disease, but who obtain leaves of ab- 
sence much oftener than the privates. So it goes through life. 
Men in liigh position, whether entitled to them or not, very 
often obtain indulgences not awarded to those really more 
worthy. i/oiJ \-i 

Samuel Bard, Captain Thompson's cook, came on board this 
steamer at Pittsburg landing, he having obtained a twenty days' 
furlough to visit his wife, near Cincinnati, on, as he said, very 
particular private business. Several 11 company men, desirous 
of sending the greater part of their money home, foolishly 
trusted this same Bard with nearly all their __four months' pay, 
amounting to about two thousand dollars. This proved to be 
too niucli to trust with this club footed mail carrier. Bard, in- 
stead of going to Cincinnati on this ste'amer, as he promised, 
evacuated her at Evansville, Indiana, took th^ cars, and reached 



I 



HDMEE0U9 AdyENTCEES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 77 

Canada, as a Cincinnati detective learned through the chief of 
police of Cleveland, after I informed him of this dirty action 
of the club footed cook. The description of Bard, as near as 
I can come at it, is as follows: He is about thirty-five years of 
age, live feet two inches high, dark complexion, and clubbed, 
as it is termed, in both feet. He is also freckled in the face. 
I hope this fellow Tvill be found some day, and, made to suffer 
the imprisonment he so richly deserves. 

July 3. — Saw in the Commercial to-day a call from the ad- 
jutant general, which said that every Ohio soldier absent from 
his regiment, with or without leave, must report at once at 
Camp Chase. George O. Ludlum, a fellow member of H com- 
pany, 5th 0. V. C, and myself, iif obedience to this order, re- 
ported at Camp Chase, July G, and nest day, after an examin- 
ation by the medical director, were sent, with one hundred and 
ninety other sick soldiers, to Camp Dennison. George Ludlum 
and I were hero again examined. George was discharged, and 
I was ordered to remain until the next examination took place. 
Dr. Baxter, an excellent physician, had charge of our ward, 
and would soon have cured me, had I not, in August, walked 
over to the depot to cheer two hundred soldiers departing for 
the front on the Little Miami railroad. Standing on the Mari- 
etta railroad, four feet from the Little Miami, I was struck by 
an advancing freight train, and rendered senseless for six weeks. 
In consequence of this I was discharged from service for disa- 
bilities, by Dr. Carpenter, the examining surgeon, in Decem- 
ber, 1862. 



■+f-,- 



PART II. 



IlsT THIE SEE."^IOE -A.C3-.^Ilsr. 



..',i.. 



March 12, 1863. — Had my first volume published, and re- 
ceived them to-day, when I immediately sent the first copy of 
the first thousand to President Lincoln, and the second copy to 
Governor Todd, two of the best friends living of United States 
soldiers. I soon disposed of the balance ©f my humble work, 
"The Adventures of a Volunteer." 

May 27.— I was given a recruiting commission to-day, by 
Major Joseph AVheeler, as captain of C company, provided I 
raised a sulficient number of men to entitle me to the captaincy., 
Feeling much better in renewed health than I had for months 
I went vigorously to work, and in three, weeks I enlisted seventy - 
nine men, whom I had 'sworn in for six months, by Esquire 
Aldrich, of Third Street; examined and passed by Dr. Norton, 
of Central Avenue ; and then I sent them in squads to Camp 
Dennison, whore these very men of mine were picked up by 
pretended oflicers as soon as they arrived, and mustered into 
service as Y/ia'r recruits. Through my own. ignoran'co of the' 
fact that any other person than their proper officer could do 
this, I lost vdy C coiiipany of Todd's independent scouts, and all 



80 nUMEKODS ADVENTDEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

my efforfs to raise a larger body of recruits than any other of- 
ficer proved of no avail. ^ 

" The stranger who thns sUaU an honr. 
To trace thy w.ilks from bower tn bower, ' 
Can ne'er, with dull, unconscious eye. 
Leave them behind without a sigh." 

After many days of hard labor in informing the proper au- 
thorities of this swindling matter, and finding that I had lost 
my men through my own ignorance, I was about to give up ia 
despair, when I thought that when northwest winds strike a 
ship near dangerous breakers, dismantling and almost wrecking 
her, she may be, and frequently is, saved by putting forth a 
sufficient effort. 

•' His soul with thirst of genuine glory fraught. 
Scorned the false lustre of licentious thought." 

August G. — This day I received notice that by proceeding to 
Columbus I would receive a recruiting, commission from Gov- 
ernor Todd, as he was aware of the manner in which I had 
been treated in my first attempt at recruiting. I did so and at 
once received the promised commission, dated August 7, 1863. 
I immediately returned to Cincinnati and commenced raising 
men for the volunteer cavalry service, reporting twice a week 
to the adjutant general of the State, stating each time the num- 
ber of men I had obtained. 

Boarded my men at Langerbein's Union Exchange, on Fifth 
street. Captain Stanhope, the disbursing officer at this post, 
mustered in my recruits, thirty-six in number, on the 31st day 
of August. On the 5th of September I wrote to Adjutant Gen- 
eral Ilill, astcing another month for recruiting, as I expected at 
the end of that period to have at least fifty nlen. I kept on as 
hard as I could until the Gth of October, when Major Cook 
ordered me to Camp Dennison td' consolidate my forty-nine 
men with Captain I. N. Iletzler, I obeyed orders, and was first 
lieutenant of G company, 9th 0. V. C. There were seven men 
lacking to fill this company, and they were obtained by Major 
Cook, one of whom, his brother, was immediately made first 
duty sergeant, to the evident dissatisfaction of the entire com- 
pany. 

A few days before this consolidation, my commission was 
sent me from Columbus, by the adjutant general, who placed 



HUMER0U8 ALVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEB. 81 

it in the hands of Major Cook with instructions to deliver it to 
me, which he neglected to do. Being informed of this, I went 
to Columbus and obtained a new commission of the same style 
and date, which caused such anger on the part of Cook as I 
shall never forget. 

Lieutenant Lord mustered me into service as first lieutenant 
of G company, 9th 0. V. C, which made me feel so happy 
that I fell down on my knees and thanked my Great Creator 
for this act of justice ; and I always will thank my Maker for 
every benefit arising from His great kindness to a sufieriug 
human being like myself. 

Having no second lieutenant of G company, a person named 
Knapp, who was acting sergeant-major of Camp Dennison, 
came to my quarters about two days previous to the consolida- 
tion, and desired a private interview with me, which I granted. 
He told me that reports were current in camp to the efiect that 
all my recruits were going to desert because I was not, as I 
ought to be, their captain. I was not aware at this time that 
this proceeding was a bold strategical manouvre on his part, 
but, as the sequel will show, made the discovery just in the nick 
of time, 

" For heartfelt wrongs thy btimuhited force 
Oft wakens vengeance, and Impels its course; 
Thy feverish hand lays bare each wound to view. 
That it may throb, and rage, and bleed nnew; 
While all, perhaps, the injured can acquire. 
Is, not to pardon — but forget its ire-" 

In close vicinity to general headquarters was a small frame 
house occupied by a laundress, the wife of a sergeant absent 
with his regiment, with whom this Knapp was familiar. Ho 
invited me into the inner room, closed the door, and, sitting- 
down by my side, opened the conversation by saying : 

"I know' a large number of your men will desert when this 
consolidation takes place, as I have seen such things occur be- 
fore. I know it is hard on your tender feelings ; and considering 
your hard labor, and the amount of money you expended in 
procuring so many men, my best advice to you is that yen sign 
a recommendation for me to Governor Todd, stating that you, 
as yet, have no second lieutenant in your company : and that 
6 



82 HDMEKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUKTEEB. 

knowing" me to be an excellent soldier, as 3'on do, you are 
certain that I will always faithfully discharge every duty de- 
volving on me." 

I foolishly consented to do this, when he wrote what he called 
a recommendation, which, in the state of excitement I was, I 
signed, and then returned to my cjuarters, glad to think I had 
so kind a military friend as Mister F. H. Knapp. Next day I 
was to meet him at Lieutenant Lord's office, as he had special 
"business with me, and. Lieutenant Lord being absent, no person 
would there interrupt us except a particular friend of Knapp's, 
Lieutenant Lord's head clerk. In the presence of this clerk he 
offered me the loan of five dollars to get our dinner at Mr. 
Zumstein's. I refused the loan as I then discovered something 
of the efiorts he was making to obtain a position he knew he 
was not entitled to, he never having obtained a single recruit 
Tor any service. I immediately demanded the recommendation 
papers I had signed, which he said he -would give me, biit he 
quickly left the office and I could not then discover where he 
went. I informed Lieutenant Colonel Cook and Captain Hetz- 
ler of the matter, and they told me I had better seek this man 
and compel him to return the papers. I did so; finally found 
him, and when he returned them I found they were not papers 
of recommendation, but one of them was a blank, and the other 
a statement to Governor Todd that Knapp had paid me my 
expenses, and I hoped, therefore, that he would obtain my 
present position as first lieutenant. 

I was then well satisfied what kind of a man he was, yet I 
foolishly made no effort to show his principles, or restrain his 
farther ill work. Enough of the fellow who kept a prostitute 
at Milford, passed her ofi" as his wife, and swindled himself 
into a commission. 

" Build mc a shrine am] I conld kneel 
To rural gods, or prostrate fall; 
Did I not see, did I not feel. 
That one Great Spirit governs all." 

November^ 1863. — I met, for the first lime, Colonel Hamilton, 
who commands the 9th 0. Y. C. lie seems to be a gentleman 
and a brave soldier, which I hope ho will prove himself to be, 
in every particular. 



J 



HUMEROUS ADVENTDEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 83 

Dcconiber came and went here in old style. Good and bad 
plotters have beer^and still ai-e at work,- and to feel myself as 
low as most of these degraded scamps is not my mental style. 
I feel myself more worth}'' every way, and hope every good 
man I meet thinks the same. Christmas day came and I wrote 
the following humble lines : 

O, for the tongue of some poetic ?cer, 

Who'd reach the sublime on the Christmas cheer, 

The glorious holiday revelry: 
The cheer that rang up to the blue vr.ults of heaven, 
For friends who so nobly and gladly had given 
The spread to the Ninth 0. V. cavalry. 

'T was published, how truly let bards ever tell. 

With flourish of trumpets and symphonic swell, 
That maidens chivalric and demoiselles gay, 
The soft hearts of Hamilton's troopers to wile, 
Determined a feast in the highest old style, 
Served by their sweet selves on this home loving day. 

Miss Todkins brought tongue, a smile, and a caper; 
Miss Smallgood a leg (fresh veal) very taper; 
Jane Junkel a bonnie new (s)cent for a salad, 
And — what the rest gave you shall know in my ballad. 
There were parings of cheese with never a mite. 
And crumbs of great comfort for soldiers to bite; 
Faint smellings of pork to the bones yet attached, 
And blue monkeys' tails, such as never were matched; 
With fricaseed turnip-tops trimmed a la mode, 
And choice leather- chips was the table well stowed. 
The shell of an egg, long the thief of the nest. 
With the comb of a rooster deliciously dress'd. 
Were flanked by two tumble-bugs, juicy and green; 
A grasshopper, roasted, stood grandly between. 
A crocodile's tooth, which was shipped from the Nile, 
Was stewed vrith a bird's nest, from China, in style. 
A chowder of cotton balls mingled with lard, 
And a hot Texas pudding to take was n't hard. 
A codfish's gills, too, embellished the scene. 
With elegant soup from a real castor bean. 
The wings of a woodpecker, hoofs of a fawn, 
Soup-congo, soup-pongo, soup-erb and soup-awn. 
This sumptuous feast of the fiir-fetchcd and rare. 
Too good was for soldiers, I humbly declare. 
Yet in would they pitch, like a fl(jck of wild geese. 
Or doughnuts in batches thrown into boiled grease. 
Such crowding, such pushing, suchdevil-maj'-care, 
Was never yet equalled at Donnj brock Fair. 



84: HUMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

Jim Jones he cried, " Turkey," when tramped on the toes, 

Tom Cronin, no chicken, was rapped on the nose. 

John Johnson struck out with a vigor and viitn, 

And twenty great troopers then pitched into him. 

Young Hendry he tackled a giant. The boy 

Came off hke Achilles. o'er Hector of Troy, 

While E-over, quick dodging a threafning boulder. 

Straightened a dozen with straight from the shoulder. 

The word was, "Go in, boys! Hurrah! A free blow! 

From dinner to dessert like nabobs we '11 go! " 

Then fists, quick as bullets at Shiloh, did fly, 

Till noses were rubied and black was each eve; 

Till battered lads, bruised lads lay strewn o'er the ground, 

"Who fell, (vide old Homer,) " with thundering sound." 

No uproar's more hideous since archangels fell. 

And how it sprung up there what prophet can tell? 

When sudden, 'mid shouts, imprecations, and cries, 

" The curnel," some frightened one yells in surprise. 

The rout then began, and to add to its fun, 

This battle shall ever be known as a "run." 

I ran with the rest, I acknowledge the corn, 

I ne'er was so bothered since first I was born. 

Miss Goforth and I had gone forth in a reel. 

The music just suiting the toe and the heel. 

When rumbled like thunder the alarm as I've said 

Alas, the fair G. tumbled heels over head. 

And then — a loud thumping, with oaths quick and hard. 

And " Hang it; wake, sergeants, the third relief guard. 

You sluggards, is here." 1 had but been dreaming, 

And feast, fight, and ladies were only in seeming. 

The certain realities were that my door 

Was breeched by a corporal's squad(ron) of four. 

A thriftless proceeding — I'd little, I swear. 

Like Flora McFlimsey, I'd little to wear. 

But scud like a ship under sail in a storm* 

My jib-sheet close reefed, just to keep me inform, 

Till " Port! hard a port!" brought me up in a run. 

And there stood Frank Goodwin, sir, choking with fun. 

He promised, e'er parting, howe'erto refrain. 

From telling our Cap.; so I'm " Ilichar-r-r-d again!" 

The curtain's rang down, here's the peice at a close, 

And who it was written for, sure somebody knows. 

Dr. Baxter is chief of police at this post, and John Zumstein, 
the kind liearted sutler of the 5th Ohio cavahy, is now post 
sutler at Camp Dennison. Ue is of the right stripe, for he 
always treats men well, and never asks three times the value 



HDMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 85 

of anything lie sells soldiers, as some other men do. Mr. Zum- 
fitein credited certain parties, and thinks as I do, that he will 
never be paid. 

We have, I am happy to say, some \cry excellent officers in 
tliis 9th 0. V. C. Captains Breyfogle, McCutchen, Stough, 
Bowles, and Gatz; and Lieutenants Cole, Fechner, Schronig, 
Brown, Adjutant Arthur Hamilton, and some others. 

Jamiary 15. — This has been a hard month, so far as weather 
is concerned, and what is worse on me is that I have received 
notice that my wife and two children are very unwelL I should 
love to be with them as often as possible, t>ut as I am needed 
liere in camp, I cannot expect leave again very soon to visit 
them. 

Received all our horses. G company's are light colored, and 
■will be somewhat dangerously conspicuous during the time of 
action. 

February 4, 1804. — Received marching orders to-day. Leave 
to-morrow. 

Fehrxiary 5, 10 o'clock A. M. — We are now on horseback, 
marching to Cincinnati. Arrived at 4 P. M. and placed our 
horses, baggage, etc., all on board of four transports, which 
are waiting here to carry us on to the front. At 5 o'clock 
Captain Stetson sent me orders, through Captain Hetzler, to 
meet ]\lr. Coleman, his head clerk, at the Spencer House, to in- 
form him how long I boarded my recruits at Langenbein's 
Union Exchange. Saw Mr. Coleman ; stated the whole par 
ticulars to him, and, returning to the steamer, found no officer 
on board until 

February 6, ^4. M. — Lieutenant Colonel Cook and Captain 
Hetzler came on board, and Cook insulted not only myself, but 
Captain Stetson and Mr. Coleman, by placing me under arrest 
for the only absence with leave that has occurred since we were 
on board. All the rest of the absent officers, Major C, Captain 
Hetzler, and Second Lieutenant Frank Knapp, were absent 
without leave, to visit the house of Mrs. Stewart, on West Fifth 
street. 

Left Cincinnati, at 10 o'clock A. M., on the Young America. 
Arrived at Louisville February 7, at A. M., and marched to 



86 HUMEEOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

Camp Spring Garden, when, to my utter astonishment, I found 
myself still under arrest, and informed Colonel Hamilton of 
the whole ajffair, which he said should be attended to as soon 
as possible. Shame, where is thy head ? 

i'ehruary 9. — To-day Colonel Hamilton received au order 
from General Burnside, to detacli Lieutenants Fechner, Cole, 
and myself as witnesses for the government in United States 
vs. Langenbein. In obedience to orders, we returned to Cin- 
cinnati, where court martial was held against Langenbein and 
others. This proves my arrest a contemptible, dastardly out- 
rage. 

February 10. — Reported at the judge advocate's ofHce, and 
my coming as a witness in this case was approved by the proper 
officer.' 

March 8. — Met two clerks of the adjutant general, at Camp 
Dennison, who informed me m}^ old particular enemy, Knapp, 
is a deserter from D company, I'd 0. V. C, and has been sent 
lUr by his captain, Llenry Clay Pike, a gentlemanly, noble 
minded soldier, whom I met on Fourth street, near Pike's opera 
house, which his uncle, S. N. Pike, Esq., is owner of. Knapp, 
he says, is one of the very lowLSt privates in any Ohio regi- 
ment, and is known' to every man, soldier or servant, in the 2d 
O. V. C. as a very degTa,ded knave. He lied to his captain 
about a sergeant in his company in order to obtain his position, 
and he succeeded for a very short time. He was appointed 
sergeant, but being discovered trampling on better men, and 
plotting against officers, he was immediately reduced to the 
ranks. A pretended sickness brought him to Camp Dennison, 
where, as acting sergeant major, he laid and attempted to exe- 
cyite all sorts of evil plots, until, meeting my unfortunate self, 
he obtained a position he nor any one like him is fit for. We 
liave learned. to know that such conduct, sooner or later, meets 
its just punishment, and hope that this case will not be an ex- 
ception. 

" Momentous triumpli — fiend thy race is o'er; 
Thou, whose blind rage has ravaged every shore. 
Whose name denotes destruction, whose foul 'oreutli, 
Forevea hoveling round tlie dart of death. 
Fells, mercilessly fells, the bravo and base. 
Through all the kiiidr.'d of the humau race." 



HCMEKODS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 8T 

March 23. — Sent Corporal 11. Stalil, Priv^atcs C. Koch aud 
Thomas MaJderu to rejoin the regiment to-day. 

I became acquainted with a circumstance this day whicii 
strikes me very forcibly. A certain doctor, residing near a 
certain city is a bachelor of forty years and upwards, who fre- 
quentl}^ makes the acquaintance of young ladies through street 
talk, and politeness displayed on all occasions ; especially when 
in close proximity to young maids of handsome appearance. 
He is very affable and persuasive, it seems, as he causes many 
of these foolish young girls to lose their moral character and 
become mothers while yet unmarried. As an instance of this 
method of his, I inform the public of a proceeding which camo 

to my certain knowledge , as 1 resided close to Mrs. V. K , 

No. — West — th street, where, on or about the last of Janu- 
arj^, 1SG4:, he brought a young lady from Kentucky to board. 

Here she was called Mrs. F , and to show that the term 

'• Mrs." was, or should have been correct, she, three weeks after 
her arrival, was brought to bed and had a child that has not 
been christened yet. This new mother is very handsome, as 
foolish as she is, and is the daughter of very wealthy parents, 
who move in first class societ}'. They are__not aware of their 
only and petted daughter's indiscretion, or, no doubt, she would 
be homeless to-day. I have seen tliis erring girl frequently, 
but was not aware of her guilt until to-day. I saw the child 
carried off secretly to a nurse in the country, and the young 
mother shedding tears of grief at the bitter necessity that thus 
early deprived her of her little one. 

There is now^ another victim of seduction boarding at the 
same place. The name given this erring girl is Mrs. E — th. 
Alas! some young girls are led astray to their injury very 
easily. 

March 25. — Met the first and second lieutenants of C com- 
pany, 2d 0. V. C, on the corner of Fifth and Elm streets, who 
seeing the figure "U'' on my hat, asked me if I belonged to the 
itth 0. V. C. I told them I did, when they asked mo if Frank 
Kuapp was not in that regiment. I told them I thought he was, 
and asked them if they knew him. They both answered by 
saying, in the presence of five or six persons, that not only 



88 irUMEROUS ADVENTUKliS OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

did they know him as a cowardly, plottinn; poltroon, but every 
member of their regiment knew him as the same. Enough of 
him forever; I shall not mention his name again if I can help 
it. 

April 18. — Major General Sherman, the noble commander 
of the division to which were attached our first and second 
battalions of the 5th 0. V. C, at and before the battle of Shiloh, 
now commands the army of the Cumberland, and hasliis head- 
quarters in the field, I hear. 1 hope it is true, as he is a gen- 
eral officer we all believe in. At Shiloh he was one of General 
Grant's main props, on Sunday, April 6, 18G2. May his shadow 
never be less. 

April 21. — Have just received a letter from one of my men, 
^rank Hurff, which informs me that on Wednesday, April 13, 
Captain Helzler, Second Lieutenant Frank Knapp, and thirty- 
nine of my G company men, were captured near Florence, Al- 
abama, and two men, James Jones and Vanmctre were 

killed. I saw Lieutenant Cole receive a letter telling all about 
this. It was published in the Times, und I here reproduce it 
as it was : 

FROM THE NINTH 0. V. C— CAPTURE OF OHIO CAVALRY. 

A letter from Major 11. Plessner, to Lieutenant S. H. Cole, 
gives the following particulars ol the capture of a portion of 
the Otli Ohio cavalry. It is dated from Athens, Alabama, 
April 15: 

" About ten days since Lieutenant Colonel Cook was sent on 
a foraging expedition with seven companies of the Otli Ohio 
cavalry, when through some mistake, he allowed three compa- 
nies to leave his command and proceed in different directions, 
to return in three or four days. Companies G, E, and I were 
out. G company was encamped near the river, in a barnyard. 
Captain Iletzler and Lieutenant Kna]:»p went to the planter's 
house to sleep, having previously thrown out fM;o pickets. Tiie 
men were surprised about 3 o'clock in the morning. C-orporal 
Vanmetre and Private Jones were instantly killed, the rest were 
all taken prisoners. After they had secured the privates, un- 
known to these very officers, they sent a guard after the oilicera 
and hurried tlie entire crowd across the river. 



HUMEEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 89 

"Private Jones, who was killed, was enlisted from the Four- 
teenth ward." 

Poor fellow ! I enlisted him. 

Another statement of the Times is as follows: . 

"The following are the names of the soldiers captured near 
Florence, Alabama. They were members of G company. 
Lieutenant Fanning, their commander, is now here, having been 
summoned as a witness on a court martial. Tiie captured 
were : 

" Sergeants Kennedy, Coo-k, Winks, Smeltzer, Snyder, Shid- 
ler, and Gamble. 

Corporals Lightfoot, Bryant, Hover and Connor. 

Privates I. W. F. Johnson, Gillen, two Foss brothers. Brock, 
Koch, Edson, two Smith brothers, Ilewell, Addlesberger, Mc- 
Nainee, AVorman, Mannson, Balston, Niblick, Powell, Shanlslin, 
Bryan, and several others. In all, captured and killed forty- 
one." 

This evil accident happened, I am told, through the negli- 
gence of the officers who commanded the company ; th.ey being 
absent at the time it occurred. There were only ^^«o picket 
guards placed out, and both were killed on this sad occasion. 
Both these men were meritorious soldiers, one of whom, James 
Jones, I enlisted as a recruit in the Fourteenth ward of Cin- 
cinnati. 

May C. — This day ended the case of Langenbein,'the govern- 
ment defrauder, against whom I have been kept here as a wit- 
ness nearl}^ three months. His punishment will be severe, for 
he has swindled the United States government out of sixty-live 
thousand dollars, charging that sum for boarding recruits less 
than one year. 

3fay 8. — Left Cincinnati for the front, on the General Lj'tle, 
and arrived at Louisville at 1 A. M. of 

M.iy 9. — Departed for Nashville at 7 A.M., and arrived there 

at 4 P. M. 

Hay 10. — Stopped at the St. Cloud IIolcl, a very sumptuous 
house — if the bill of fare was only equal to the bill cliarged. 

Maij IL— Started on the morning train for Athens, Alabama, 
where my company is now stationed. 



90 HUMEROUS ADVENTUSES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

May VI. — Arrived at Athens at 4 F. M., and found compa- 
nies I and G here. 

May 13. — I lind Athens a small place, yet it ought to be 
flourishing, since Federal troops hold it, and several pretended 
Unionists are residents of this seemingly good locality. Lieu- 
tenant Cole and myself remain here to take command of our 
respective companies, sending letters to Colonel Hamilton, at 
Decatur, Alabama, informing him of our arrival. Lieutenant 
Fcchner left us to rejoin E company at Decatur, and kindly 
carried our letters to the colonel. • 

I iind my fragmental company all well, and, so they say, 
happy to see me. I hope this happiness is true, as I look upon 
all good men as my equals, if not my superiors. Major Wil- 
liamson, commanding our second battalion, is here, and seems 
a gentleman in every shape. An indefatigable ofiiccr, ready 
always to perform any hazzardous duty, he is, and I am happy 
to be under a gentleman who is so noted |'or courage, gallantry^ 
and everything else tliat is creditable in a soldier. That he 
may raise in his military profession, as he deserves to, is my 
heartfelt prayer. 

Entering a grocery here to buy tobacco, I saw a southern 
doctor of divinity in the back room, (where beer is sold,) go 
out of the back, door, wiping his mouth. He seemed to feel 
uneasy as I looked at his side movements. The fact is he 
evacuated the premises because he thought some of the broth- 
erhood-might hear of his unclerical habit-of indulging in strong 
drink. 

Friday.^ May 13, — Started out at 4 P. M., fully armed and 
equipped, on an expedition to Florence, and were joined by the 
7lh Illinois mounted infancy, commanded by Colonel Tlowett, 
and the first battalion of our own regiment, under Major Sims, 
an ollicer well liked by his men. I am proud to know that I 
am under two good field oflicers. Our first battalion came 
from Fulaski, Tennessee, where it is stationed. This raid is in 
consequence of intelligence received by Brigadier General 
Matthias, commanding at Decatur, Alabama, that Florence, a 
rebel hole, is at present occupied by a brigade under General 
Ilhoddy, and a few bushwhackers under Brigadier General 



HUMEROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 91 

Wheeler, Advanced tliirly miles and camped for the night at 
11 R M. 

May 14. — Started again at 4 A. M. and advanced six miles, 
when we heard iiring in front. Tliis was between our advance 
guard and the rebel picket. Soon after hearing the firing E 
ccimpany, Caj^tain oreyibglo, and a part of il company dis- 
mounted and deployed as skirmishers, advancing into the thick 
woods on our right, where the heaviest firing came from, in 
order to ascertain the precise locality of the main body of the 
rebels. Captain Breyfogle was the oflicer to send on such a 
duty, for I do not know a braver or better one. Two compa- 
nies of the 7tl,i Illinois also promptly advanced to scour the 
woods, and, at the same time to reconnoitre the enemy's posi- 
tion, and compete with the 9th 0. V. C. in fighting qualities. 
" Vive le gentilhommeP 

G company was sent to guard the road a half mile distant 
from the main body, and remained until the second battalion, 
Major Williamson, was sent to the left for the purpose of right 
and left flanking the rebel force, as well as to keep a rearguard 
to intercept and capture all the chivalry who asserted, some 
time since, that " it would take five Yankees to light one Con- 
federate." 

Company I, Lieutenant Cole, advanced to the river, led by 
Colonel Hamilton, to prevent the rebels crossing the Tennessee 
and escaping; but to our grief he was too late, as a number of 
large flatboats tiiey had there carried them over to an island, 
near the south bank, lives minutes before he arrived. There 
the rebels must be in force, as a large number of cannons are 
planted there, and several balls and shells were lired at us very 
rapidly. We captured several of the rebels before they escaped, 
however, and taught them that the Yankees, as they term aj.1 
Federal soldiers, can light when southerners dare not. 

Our regiment lost one man killed. Private Mellone, of I com- 
pany. Several horses were killed, and others so badly wounded 
that they were abandoned as no longer serviceable. A\ c are 
all sorry that any delay occurred on ou-r part, permitting the 
safe retreat of the enemy. At ^ V. M. we rested at a planter's 
house for dinncr.l, 



92 HUMEROUS ADVENTUKE8 OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

May 15. — Started at ^:30 P. M. for riorcnce, and crossed 
througli some cornfields six miles I'rom lliat place, as we heard 
from scouts that a strong rebel force was ambushed on our left 
in the woods. 

May IG. — Heard firing by onr skirmishers at 8:30 A. M., 
and, advancing near the woods, formed a line, expecting a 
battle. No rebs appearing, and onr scouts not finding ai.y, we 
started slowly again, and, at 11 A. M., entered Florence, from 
W'hich place twelve hundred rebels had fled iDrecipitately the 
night before. 

The news of onr approach reached them throngh contempt- 
ible citizens, who pretend Unionism to ns yet are not believed 
in any of their assertions. 

Three deserters from lihoddy came in here and gladly gave 
themselves up to us. They are Tennesseeans, and desire once 
more to see their deserted homes. Florence is a nicely located 
town, with beautiful residences, and — I w-on't say — handsome 
feminincs. I sent the Times a full account of this expedition 
and its results. Stayed over night at Cypress creek, three 
miles from Florence. 

May IG. — Scoured all the neighborhood, including Peters's 
plantation, where Rhoddy captured a portion of G company, 
April 13th. Crossed shoal creek, near which small stream w^e. 
camped. 

May 17. — Heard firing- by rebel scouts at some distance, but 
soon discovered that, as soon as they fired, these military he- 
roes skedaddled, getting beyond our reach, fortunately for 
them. 

Left Florence for Athens at 10 A. M. Marched twelve miles 
and rested. It is very warm here. It is too hot for horseflesh, 
let alone humanity. 

An ofilcer is under arrest, I hear, for cowardice shown in a 
picket fight this morning. He is said to have run away when 
he heard three shots fired, leaving the guards to defend them- 
selves, and fight under their own orders. I hope the above is 
untrue, as I never thought this of our ranking first lieutenant. 
Sergeant Hedges, of K company, was wounded by these bush- 
whackers who fired at our guard and then fled. 



HUMEEOUS AdvENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 93 

A Confederate soldier, who gladly surrendered here, related 
a portion of bis family history with tears in his eyes. It is as 
follows: 

" I am the only surviving son of a poor father, who was a 
farmer in good circumstances when the war broke out, but was 
stricken with poverty soon afterward. Having three sons he 
needed to hire no help in raising his crops of corn and cotton, 
and very easily sold all his family did not need, to good pur- 
chasers, for gold and silver. Sliortly after the war commenced 
my two brothers, much against their own and my father's will, 
were forced into the Confederate infantry. Father gave all the 
mono}"^ he possessed, to the provost marshal of his district, to 
buy them out of the service. All to no avail. He could not 
obtain their release, but lost all his money, because the provost 
marshal would not return it, saying that it was given to support 
the Confederate government. 

" My tv/o poor brothers, John and James Oakley, were killed 
near Corinth, while they were under General Cheatham ; and 
father sold out the best part of his farm, to bring their bodies 
back home and bury them opposite our front door. This money 
he lost too, as it was inhumanly taken from him by an officer, 
who said the bodies were of no further earthly use, and the 
money was of more value to the army than the men would be 
if yet living. This stroke affected my poor father's senses so 
much that he never had a sound mind again until the day he 
died, nearly two years ago ; when he called me to him, and 
said : 

'"Edv/ard, my poor, suflering son, I called you here now, 
not only because I am sure this will be our last conversation on 
this eaith, but because I wish to tell you what will be beneficial 
to you ever afterward. You do n't know, Edward, that I leave 
you nothing now to depend upon for a living. Yet so it is. 
All my remaining property is mortgaged to a man from whom 
I have begged support this last year. Ho only sent me one 
bushel of corn meal and four pounds of salt meat each month, 
but for that he charged me at the rate of twenty-live dolhira 
per month. For this he now claims all that we possess. How 
a young boy of fifteen, like you^ with no relative near him on 



^t nUMEROrS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

\\-liom he can depend, is to live in tins bleak world, and stem 
the tide of adversity, I can not say. But I advise yon, my son, 
if ever you get to Knoxville, and see Parson Brownlow, to in- 
form him of it all, and tell him it was by my advice you did 

so.' ': 

" Saying this my poor father died, and I was left alone in the 
world. After being two days and nights without a mouthful 
to eat or a shelter to cover me, I was picked up in a famishing 
condition, close to our old barn, by a squad of Confederate sol- 
diers, who forced me to enlist. I refused this in the first place, 
wlien they tied me up to a tree, took aim at me by order of 
the officer commanding them, and then, through fear of death, 
I enlisted." 

Edward Oakley was paroled and set at liberty. 

Camped twelve miles from Florence on the Athens road, and 
I was there appointed officer of the guard. Remained at ene 
of the front posts until 11 P. M., when I was ordered to return 
to the regiment, and bring the f:ciiaJ'ds with me, as the 9th Ohio 
cavalry was moving on toward Athens. Obeyed orders, and in 
doing so very narrowly escaped death, as some of the pickets 
I was seeking thought me a rebel soldier, and, but for Sergeant 
Farnham, of E company, they would certainly have forever 
stopped my forward movements on this earth, as they all took 
aim at me previous to my seeing them. 

May 18. — Crossed Elk river at 11 o'clock A. M. This stream 
is four feet deep, half a mile wide, and is rather hard to cross, 
as there is a strong current to contend with. All our regiment 
came over safely. Arrived at Athens at G o'clock P. M., having 
lost not a single G compau}^ man throughout this entire expe- 
dition. 

May 19. — Left Athens for Decatur at 7 A. M., and passing 
through swampy roads, arrived at Decatur at 3 P. M. There 
is a line government ])lantation four miles this side of Decatur, 
which is filled Avith negroes of every age, who seem healthy, 
well fed, and proud of having t])e blessings of freedom as well 
they may be. 

May 20.— Left Decatur at o'clock A. M. for our new sta- 
tion, which is asmall village at a railroad junction, about three 



nUMEROUS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 95 

miles from Decatur. Our dut}^ there will be to guard the rail- 
road. 

Two thirds of the town of Decatur had been destroyed by 
gunbo; ts previous to our arrival ; and taking into consideration 
the fact tint the destroyed houses were occupied by rebel 
nuisances at that time I think it was only right to punish by 
batteries felling the houses which sheltered such beings. The 
Oth O. V. C. lias an excellent name here. They have shown 
themselves fighting men, and are M^orthy of applause frorii all 
men in favor of ending this ignominious civil war ; and prov- 
ing Ohio can show features of bravery in every regiment that 
has 3'ct been sent out by that noble State. Gloria ad O Re- 
mit si 

May 21. — Moved our camp to Mooresville, Alabama, which 
we find is a very pleasant looking village, seven miles from 
Decatur. 

May 22. — Officers' call was sounded at 7 A. M., by the regi- 
mental bugler, James Doran, and after we were all seated, the 
colonel spoke of what happened at Mills's point, five or six 
days since, when a certain ofllcer left his post and galloped to 
camp, instead of sending a sergeant, as he should have done, 
to give information of the approach of the enemy. It is a 
great disaster when any officer purposely fails to discharge his 
duty. 

" Every guard officer's duty is to make tlie grand rounds 
twice or three times each night, and see that every sentinel is 
in his proper place," said the colonel, "and see that all his or- 
ders are strictly obeyed. If this is not adhered to men will 
become demoralized by thinking their commanding officers ig- 
norant of military duties, and unlit to command their obedience 
to proper orders." 

This was a reprimand to the repentant officer I spoke of be- 
fore, and he was tiicn and there fully pardoned for his first of- 
fense. 

We are favored with a band of good musicians, wdio lay 
their musical instruments aside when the regiment goes out on 
a foraging expedition, a raid, a scout, or any other duty, arm 
themselves with carbines and sabres, and partake of all impend- 



96 HDMEROus advp:ntures of a volunteer. 

ino- danger with as much spirit as any brave soldier. Hurrah 
fur sucii a bands. 

M<ty 26. — The seventeenth army corps, commanded by Ma- 
jor General F. P. Bhiir, jr., passed through Mooresville to day. 
The lirst, second and third brigades are respectively commanded 
by Brigadier Generals Force, Gresham, and Malloy. The -iOth, 
CSth, and 78th Ohio infantry, and the 1st, 3d, and 4th Ohio 
cavalry are in this corps. They marched to Decatur, Alabama, 
whore the ITth New York Zouaves are now stationed. These 
Zouaves had a heavy fight with a strong rebel force, seven miles 
south of Decatur, to-day, killing fifteen, wounding twenty- 
eight, and capturing thirty- seven secesh soldiers, and taking 
the secesh camp, seventeen army wagons, and several stragglers 
who, unlilte the balance of Rhoddy's men who were engaged 
here, did not leave on the double quick. The ITth Zouaves 
had to fall back in the early part of the day, but being rein- 
forced by the 3d Ohio cavalry, they drove the Johnnies pell* 
mell, and would have taken them all if the place had been less 
swam.py. and not so much covered with a thick undergrowth of 
what may be termed screening trees, which secure a safe re- 
treat to all forces that are falling back to seek safety for them- 
selves. 

3fay 27. — Soluiion of a mystery. I have discovered to day 
several plotters, and lay them aside as fellows not worth notic- 
ing. These thoughts came to me, and I abide by them. Those 
who slowly and gradualy rise to those positions wliich they 
are worthy to fill, like good rivers in spring and autumn, leave 
behind them a sediment, which, on slowly retiring, convert a 
region, which would otherwise, have been a desert, into a gar- 
den of the world. 

We have, fortunately, one of the most efficient, worthy regi- 
mental surgeons in the service. Major Finch, of whom 1 speak, 
attends to every sick call, and causes every member of this 
regiment to regard his health by cleanliness, adopting a proper 
manner of cooking, and eating only what is nutricious and 
what is easy of digestion. Such a surgeon as the major, de- 
serves, and 1 hope will soon obtain, his reward by a merited 
promotion. 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 97 

May 29. — To-day a man named Conway, who belongs to Al- 
abama, and M'as forcibly conscripted by the rebel General 
Rhodd}'", took the favorable chance offered him by our pickets, 
and escaped to us by crossing the Tennessee river in a canoe. 
lie says General Rhoddy's brigade, 3,000 strong, escaped to 
join General Joe. Johnston, through intelligence received from 
certain southern chivalric citizens who very plainly show their 
duplicity whenever a favorable opportunity offers itself to 
them. 

j\Iay 30. — A planter named Gamble, residing one mile south 
of Mooresville, lost a fine gray horse to-day, by low means, as 
the fellow who took it was a native of the State of Alal>ania, 
like Mr. Gamble. The rascal not only took this horse, but also 
took a good mule from a widow neighbor of Mr. Gamble, and 
said he belonged to the 9th Ohio cavalry. As I was the officer 
of the day, Mr. Gamble informed me of this, and I rude with 
him in his buggy, chasing the scamp closely to Decatur, where 
we learned he had taken a by-road to Limestone, fourteen 
miles distant, which we made in one hour, but too late to catch 
him as he crossed the creek on horseback and hid in the woods 
beyond. The perpetrator of this daring offence was a well 
known rebel spy. 

Eeturning to camp we stopped at the house of Mr. Ilurte for 
a drink of water, which Mr. Ilurte brought out to us, and spoke 
kindly, bidding us good day, when his v.'ife, Mrs. Ilurte, a wo- 
man of a very bad temper, came out, caught him by the arm, 
and said : 

"You always make free with every Yankee dog you meet; 
the filthy pups. Will you never know a gentleman's feelings 
toward such curs? Come in the house here, or I will leave it 
forever." 

This is only part of the vile language she made use of forno 
reason whatever. She showed her authority by her 'husband 
quickly obeying her orders. Thus it is with some husbands. 
They, oftentimes to their sorrow, are led to many a low and 
vicious belief, through the foolishly false statements and 
wicked misrepresentations, combined with fear, of their letter 
halves. 

7 



9'8 HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

There's fun in love, they say, on mounted steeds, 

And fost skeduddlhig done on hunting tours-, 

If love comes forth to burnish ancient beads. 

Then quick recruiting calls skedaddlers yours. 

All truth dissembling, couching like a slave 

We bend to truth though thistles fill our grave. 

This then is it — a cruel jest has sprung 

'Tween Jack, the groom, and Chieftain Bully Young. 

The latterspeaks; the former must obey 

Though want proclaims a loss in oats and hay. 

"Step out," says Bull, "there's crust, though but in crumbs. 

For all my steeds with devastating gums. 

See appetites in tune with joyous glee; 

Fall in, then, Jackass, and kick not at me. 

These beasts of burden, then, of thine are full. 

So, Jackass, kick; you 're fighting 'gainst a Bull." 

Let truth, like love, here list to live or die. 

And pity fools a knave can sell or buy. 

June 1, 186-i. — This day opens a new month, and the men 
hope it opens the door to paymasters, who have been looked 
for anxiously, but have not yet made their appearance. This 
morning it was rumored that they were expected, and the men 
felt very happy over this good news, as a number of them have 
families at home who need money for their support. At din- 
ner, wliere a crowd was together, Charles Hanna humorously 
said: 

"Bo3'S, since a Brvwn individual entered Virginia some 
years back, to better his color ^ and charm all raven lined friends,^ 
north and south, why are persons of all shades, white or black, 
anxious to retain any number of green backs, which visit them 
as note(\ prisoners of war ?" 

The only answer was : 

"Summer is close by, so we welcome our colored visitors 
because that would be like the colored question I would ask, 
which is: Why is colored burying supposed to be coming on 
extensively now-a-days?" 

" Because black berries are becoming prominent and lead to 
jams." 

" Thinking of our folks at home," said another, "reminds me 
of a late conundrum, which is: ' Why should a wife be like a 
roasted lamb, teuder and nicely dressed?' To which 1 should 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 99 

answer: Ladies are juicy whenever they .meet a wooly head, 
limbless and jarring/' 

Here a son of the Emerald Isle said.: 

" Now thin, byes, since yez are axing questions among je^ 
here's one. AVot faj^male ship is like a manly' soger ? Kin 
nun of yez tell me ? Well thin, the rayson a good fayraale 
ship is like a manly soger is becase they are both of them brig- 
a-dears," 

This called out the following as a response to the Emerald- 
er's : 

" Why arc our soldiers, in some positions, supposed to be 
all Irishmen ? D' ye give it ^up ? Because we take our turns 
in Pat-rolling.'''' 

" Now," asked another, " what mechanic is supposed to be 
tlie most holy in his daily actions ?" 

"A boiler n.iaker, since he punches in holes more than any 
mechanic I know," answered a Cincinnatian. Another mem- 
ber of G company, after fully enjoying this, asked the last 
yarn heaver: 

" What is meat in found-ry(e) fields near Porkopolis, now-a- 
days V 

Receiving no satisfactory answer the questioner himself re- 
plied: 

"A Aam-mer, of course." 

June 4. — Being officer of the guard to-day, I found the guards 
well stationed, and on the alert; consequently there is no dan- 
ger of a secret rebel advance, similar to the Shiloh affair. As 
I was returning to camp from the posts, it commenced to rain 
heavily, to escape which I dismounted, tied my horse to the 
limb of a large shady tree, and sat down to await a lull of the 
storm. Ere the rain ceased to wet Mother Earth, two members 
of the 9th Ohio cavalry came near me, and sat down without 
seeing me ; one to finish, the other to listen to, the following 
story : 

" Yes, she of whom I was telling j'^ou was a very handsome 
girl ; while the railroad clerk was a passably good looking man. 
She, as I told you, used to pass by the office he was engage'd 
in very frequently, as she lived not far off. She always walked 



100 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

slowlj and loolred in ns she passed, in order, I suppose to ob- 
tain a glance at the clerk, whom she seemed to admire. The 
clerk was kept pretty busy, and generally had his back toward 
the, front entrance, and consequently did not, at first, notice the 
young lady. One day, however, made a vast difference in the 
programme, for it being very cold in winter, the young damsel, 
when just in front of the office, slipped on the icy pavement, 
and would have fallen but the clerk, seeing her, rushed out and 
caught her by the waist ere she fell down. From that day he 
became intimately acquainted — in fact, since then he has not 
shown a waste of time, although the young lady was ivaisted 
by the manly hero of this new pair of slippersy 

Seeing me, after this story was finished, they left for camp, 
and then I thought : 

Since love it; is of ivy green. 

Sweet innocence the flower; 

And ev'ry youth soon seeks the screen 

And wanders through the bower; 

Oh, let the arbor turn its hue. 

And sleeping flowers dally, 

No golden roses turning blue 

Shall green be, like our Sallie- 

Jime 7. — This is the hottest day felt by many of us this year, 
and it compels an idle person to sweat as indiscriminately as 
one at hard labor. The heat reminds me of a conundrum pro- 
pounded, nearly a year ago, by a friend of mine who perspired 
freely while "popping the corn." The question was as fol- 
lows : 

" Why is a non-breezy discourse at bed time now like a ban- 
ner?" 

The answer, which was followed by a full chorus of sleepy 
snores, was: 

" Because it soon begins to fla<r." 

Captain Breyfogle, of E company went to Decatur this morn- 
ing to escort the paymaster up here, but the captain returned 
with the very important information that veterans only, and not 
raw recruits, are entitled to bounty. This renders it necessary 
for every company officer to make out new pay rolls, except 



HUMOEOUS ADVENTUEES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 101 

G company, whose rolls are, like its deportment, correct, I am 
proud to say. 

June 9. — Days pass here with remarkable similarity, consid- 
ering- the war times, and we all think it is occasioned by rebel 
fear of the 9th Ohio cavalry, which creates much lassitude on 
our side. On this account I can only imagine the correctness 
of the French bull, painted over the gate of a cemetery in the 
land of wine and frogs: 

"/ci on ii'enterre que les morts qui vivent dans la commune." 
(Here we inter only the dead who live in the parish.) 

June 10. — Major AV. P. Stoms, the paymaster, arrived here 
yesterday evening, and paid the men four months, including 
April 30, 1864. 

June 11. — Last night we were ordered to Decatur and the 
second battalion left Mooresville at 11 P. M., arriving at Deca- 
tur at 2 this A. M. Left Decatur at -1 A. M. for a place twenty 
miles distant where Ehoddy was stationed, but he, having heard 
of our movements towards him, left for some other point. After 
thoroughly searching the woods, swamps, and open plains, all 
of which proved of no avail, we returned to Mooresville, where 
we found the 73d Indiana veteran infantry camped a hundred 
yards from us. 

June V2. — ^The second battalion is ordered to Athens again. 
Broke camp and started at 7 o'clock A. M. Met General Gran- 
ger's brigade three miles from Athens, on its way to Decatur. 
Samuel G. Abstain, a noted scoundrel, forced a soldier's wife 
last night, and deserted. If the villain is caught he will get 
the punishment he deserves. 

. June 16. — The 7th Illinois mounted infantry have been per- 
manently dismounted, and the 9th O. V. C. is ordered to take 
possession of their well used horses. We need the beasts very 
much, as we are continually on duty, and numbers of our ani- 
mals are rendered unserviceable by hard riding. The lirst 
battalion, Major Sims, came from Pulaski here to get horses, 
and, obtaining the needed supplies, returned, leaving our second 
battalion to discharge all cavalry duty in this section of the 
country. 

June 17. — A report is brought to Major Williamson, that For- 



102 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

est, with a large body of rebels, is advancing direct to Athens. 
One hundred men of our battalion have been ordered out in 
the direction vi'hence Forest is reported to be coming, for the 
purpose of ascertaining how reliable this intelligence may prove 
to be. 

Jvine 19. — The one hundred men who went to look for For- 
est, reached Sugar creek, thirty-seven miles distant, and there 
dismounted and prepared to cook a meal after their long ride. 
Captain Stough, their commander, was sitting on the verandah 
of a planter's house, which was on a hill side, shortly after giv- 
ing the order to unsaddle, when a rebel squad advanced and 
called upon him to surrender. To this he made no answer, but 
ordered his men to mount. Seeing a body of cavalry at hand, 
some of whom had not yet unsaddled, this Morgan squad of 
rebels wheeled their horses as quickly as ])ossible, and escaped, 
though chased through several miles of intricate woods and 
branching roads. So it is ; sometimes rebels will escape when 
pursued. In this they are fortunate. 

Making the grand rounds to-night I lost my way in the woods 
and wandered around for at least an hour, when I discovered 
three men near the creek, beyond our camp, and, thinking they 
were some of our cavalrymen, I dismounted and was leading 
my liorse toward them, when one of them jumped to his feet 
and angrily yelled out : 

" D — n you, you bugger, you can 't fool me that way. Come 
on here, and Avhip me like a dirty Yank, if you can." 

Seeing and hearing all this, I stepjK'd behind some large 
bushes which screened me from their sight, and saw the ban- 
tered hero arise, throw part of a deck of cards in the stream, 
and bring his musket to his slioulder, coolly saying: 

" Now, you jest say once that I cheated ye, and durn ye, I 'II 
soon put an end to yer." 

Here the third man came toward me as if frightened at the 
sight of the actions of his comrades. My horse happening to 
neigh just then, the man stopped short, and seeing him dressed 
in rebel gray, I quickly mounted, drew my sabre, and called 
out: "Come on here, boys; I see a lot of guerrillas. Charge 
them, and see that none escape," 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 103 

Hearing tbis order they fled through the woods, thinking, no 
doubt, that a large party of cavalry soldiers were near, as I 
made all tlie noise I could by rattling my sabre against the 
scabbard. Soon after this I found one of our posts, where the 
men were on the alert, carefully attending to their duties. The 
guard said he had heard noise off to the right, but as I came 
from that direction he supposed it was me. I staid all night at 
the various posts, but saw or heard nothing more of rebel gu- 
errillas. 

The Sth Missouri Zouaves passed through here to-day, on 
their wa^ home, their time being out. This regiment was for- 
merly under General Lew. Wallace, and was in the battle on 
Monday and Tuesday, April 7th and 8th, 1862, at Shiloh. 

Two rebel deserters, belonging to Colonel Malone's Tth Ala- 
bama Confederate cavalry, came into camp to-day, guided by 
two of our pickets. They borrowed horses from their neigh- 
borly acquaintances, and rode to Major Williamson's quarters, 
from whence they were sent to the post commander, Colonel 
Campbell. 

I placed a drunken fellow, named Chap Davis, who is always 
absent on drunken sprees, and insulting everybody, in the guard 
house at Athens, where, if I am not mistaken, he will remain 
a short time. 

June 22. — A lieutenant of the 2d Alabama Confederate cav- 
alry was captured to-day, twelve miles from Athens. Ilis name 
is Jones. He is a doctor who can heal all diseases, he says, 
except this civil disruption, and he would die himself before 
he would try to cure it by even an oath of amnesty. 

The second battalion is ordered out to Elk river. 

June 23. — We lel't camp at 1 and arrived at Elk river at 7 
A. M. Thirty scouts are sent out. E company, now under 
command of Lieutenant Fechner, has gone in the direction of 
Florence. Captain IMcCutcheon is, at present, in command of 
this battalion, Major Williamson being sick at Athens. News 
vras brought to Ca{>tain McCutcheon at 10 P. M. tliat a large 
force, under Khoddy, was at a plantation three miles from us. 
I was sent out with seven men to see if this was true, but, after 
thoroughly searching all the plantations in the reported neigh- 



104 nUMOKOUS ADVENTUSES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

borhood, was unable to discover any signs of being in the vi- 
cinity of a rebel camp. The fact is that a darkey had told one 
of F company's scouts that three thousand of llhoddy's men 
had crossed the Tennessee liver in a canoe. We soon found this 
report perfectly true — so far as the size of the vessel used as a 
transport was concerned. 

June 23. — Reached camp, after my fruitless search forRhod- 
dy, at 6 A. M. 

Jum 25. — E company returned from Florence at 10 A. M., 
bringing several prisoners with them, one of whom was in 
possession of thousands of dollars of Confederate alid United. 
States bank notes. 

June 27. — I am ordered out to Lamb's ferry with a squad of 
twelve men, and arrived there in live hours. There was a tea 
party at Weaver's plantation, three miles from the ferry, this 
evening, on passing which we saw thirteen females of strong 
secesh sympathies, waiting for their male friends, who failed to 
come to them at the appointed time, because the Yanks were 
near at hand, and fear swept love away and kept the male geese 
and. female ducks apart. 

There was loud talk among these fair maidens as we passed, 
one of them saying: 

" Who asked these durned Yanks to come here. They ain't 
worth minding, and never will be," and much more of the same 
kind. 

June 28.— Returned to camp at 3 A. M., and am again or- 
dered out, with eight men, to patrol from Rogcrsville to Bain- 
bridge ferry, forty- h've miles from Athens, and thirty miles from 
Elk river. This is tlie ferry the rebels use in carrying forage 
to Rhoddy's brigade, and near which a rebel wagon train is 
reported to be, and 1 am sent out to ca})tnre it. Sergeant 
Oviett, of F company, is ordered by Captain McCutchcon to 
cooperate with me, lie having twelve men. I advanced with 
my small squad to Phillip's plantation, fourteen miles from our 
camp. 

June 21), — Sergeant Oviett having failed to report at 1 A. M., 
I advanced with my small squad, intending to do all in my 
power to capture the train, and also report this bravo sergeant 



HUMOKOUS ADYENTUKES OF A TOLUNTEER, 105 

• 

who purposely failed to report to me, althongh ordered to do 
so, as above mentioned. We left Rogersville at 1 o'clock 
P.M. 

June 30. — Arrived at Bainbridge ferry at G o'clock A. M. 
but were one hour too late, as a rebel wagon train crossed at 5 
o'clock. Captured I. Wise, Tompkins, and Showier ; shot one 
rebel cavalryman who was endeavoring to escape by swimming 
his horse across the Tennessee river : destroyed five boats kept 
here for rebel use, and started back to Rogersville at 10 o'clock 
A.M. 

Our horses being much in need of feed, we stopped at the 
house of Mrs. Barre, eight miles from the ferry, where, by pay- 
ing rations of coffee and sugar, the men liad dinner cooked for 
them b}'' Mrs. Barre and her two handsome sisters-in law, who 
reside with her, and who seemed anxious to please us Yankees. 
Mrs. Barre's husband belonged to the rebel army until he was 
captured, a year ago, near Stevenson, Alabama. Mrs. Barre 
and her sisters in-law are very much opposed to this war, and 
have procured protection papers from General Dodge, which 
they certainly deserve. The sisters-in-law both say they would 
as soon have a good live Yankee for a husband as " an}' other 
man." 

Moved on at' 3' P, M. and stopped again at Jack Phillips's 
plantation, where we fed our horses. Mr. Phillips is a strong 
southern man, but he is much opposed, he says, to this war, 
as it not only injures American repute in foreign nations, but 
it injures the people here at home to a great extent. The rebel 
General Forest has a great military reputation here. He is 
considered the cavalry hero of the age. So Mr. Jack Phillips 
saj'S. 

Arrived at Rogersville at 9 o'clock P. M., and there found 
Lieutenant Brown, of F company, with nine men. His hcad- 
cpiarters are at the fine residence of Mr. Young, where he (Mr. 
Young) has two adojjted daughters, tlie Misses Jane and Sarah. 
These j'oung ladies are very polite. They are opposed to this 
war also, because they think it will make husbands, " like an- 
gels' visits, few and far between." " Wives will be widows and 
girls old maids," they truly say. All female religion iu tho 



106 HUMOEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

South will apparenll}' end in Mormonism, and every man re- 
mainino- alive after the war closes can take to himself a batch 
of wives. 

July 1, 1804.— Left Eogersville at 5 o'clock A. M., for Elk 
river, seven miles distant, and arrived there at 8 P. M., to find 
our, second battalion relieved by portions of the 2d and 3d 
Tennessee cavalry. This is necessary, as we have been on duty 
alone the last fifteen days. Arrived at Athens, Alabama, at 2 
P.M. 

Juh/ 4. — This glorious day is met with joy by the 9th O. V. C.^ 
and all our men are having "a feast of pleasure and a flow of 
the spirit P 

Invited to an officers' meeting at the Depot Hotel, but could 
not attend as I was kept busy writing. There was a fine speech 
made there by Captain Stough, who. seemed to electrify all his 
hearers by his unexpected grandeur of oratory and the noble- 
ness with which he expressed himself. 

July 6. — The second battalion is ordered to Decatur, and 
has moved as far out as Mooresville, where it is again sta- 
tioned. 

Have heard charges made against Colonel Hamilton, which 
were read to the ofilcers by order of Major Williamson. They 
amount to very little, and make me think ournoble commander. 
General Sherman, observes too much for any pretender to mil- 
itary merit to pass reconnoisances in circles where he holds 
supreme sway. 

JiiJy 0. — The whole regiment received orders to move imme- 
diately to Decatur, and join General Eousscau, who is there 
with two brigades of cavalry, and two 10-pound Parrott guns. 
Arrived there at 11 P. M. 

Juhj 10. — Drew twelve days' i-ations of cofl'ec and sugar, and 
four days rations of hard tack and "sow-belly," as salt pork is 
called. Each man took one hundred and twenty rounds of 
cartridges. At 1 P. M. the order was given: "Column! for- 
ward, march!" and we left Decatur, the 9th Ohio, 2d Ktutuck}', 
and 4th Tenucssee cavalry forming the first brigade, commanded 
by Colonel Hamilton; the second brigade was composed of 
the 5lh Iowa, 3d Tennessee, and 7th Indiana cavalry regiments, 



, HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 107 

under command of Colonel Harrison ; the whole commanded 
by Major General Rousseau. The general's body guard was- 
companies E and K, 2d Kentuck}^ cavalry. 

Marched twenty miles over a rock}', undulating road, and 
rested at 9 P. M, Placed out picl<ets, who, shortly after going 
out to their posts captured a squad of thirty three rebel scouts, 
wlio had come from Mumfordsville, Alabama, through the 
darkness, expecting to achieve great things in the bushwhack- 
ing line before they returned, but found their "great expecta- 
tions" suddenly disolved by their capture. 

July 11. — Left Mumfordsville at G o'clock A. M., and took 
Somersville. Ascended Summit mountain, eight miles south of 
Sumersville, a'nd captured a rebel chaplain and seven soldiers, 
one of whom, a red headed fellow, was about to be married to 
a girl near here, and he wept like a chi4d when we "tuk" him. 
In consequence of this postponement of his marriage festivi- 
ties, he showed his animosity toward us by uttering all the 
oaths he knew. Such men do not deserve virtuous wives. We 
passed a rebel camp soon after this, which had tents for at least 
two thousand men, and which had very recently been vacated. 
Encamped on another summit, ten miles distant, where we re- 
mained three hours. 

July 12. — Started in the rear of tlie 1st Michigan artillery, 
at 5 o'clock A. M., and shortly afterward captured a rebel quar- 
termaster, four wagons, and eighteen men, near Bloomingville, 
which place we entered at 2 o'clock. This place* is a county 
seat, sixty miles from Decatur. The -I'Uh Alabama infantry was 
stationed here, but when they heard of our near appi'oach they 
quickly skedaddled and secreted themselves in the neighboring 
mountains. 

July 13. — Started south again at 5 o'clock A. M., and moved 
rapidly over very rocky, mountain roads, injuring horses to 
such a degree that quite large numbejs of them died every 
hour. 

July 14. — Started again at 5 A. M., and got into a lengtliy 
gap, near the end of which we stopped to rest. Tlicre is one 
Union woman along this route so far, who hurrahed lor Abo 
Lincoln, our patriotic Union President, as we passed her house. 



108 HUMOROUS ADVEyXUKES OF A YOLUNTEEE. • . 

; » 4 .« , t . / ' ■ " , t 

Arrived at Ashville, a luxurious small town, one hundred m 
from Decatur, at 1 P. M. Here we took the road to Montgom- 
ery, which is yet one hundred and twenty-seven miles distant. 

Jvly 15. — Arrived at Greenupsport, on the Coosa river, at 6 
A. M., where E company, under Lieutenant Fechner, and G 
company, under Lieutenant Fanning, went out after ninety rebs 
who were retreating that way; but they were too fast for us, 
and all got aM'ay, with the exception of three rebel officers and 
a railroad contractor. 

We have crossed seventeen mountains since we left Decatur. 
Like all other mountains they aftbrd excellent hiding places 
for guerrillas, bushwhackers, etc. Shortl}^ after leaving this 
place some of these hiding soldiers shot at and killed a captain 
and lieutenant of the 5th Iowa cavalry, who were in the rear 
guarding a wagon train. Mountains and creeks all have simi- 
lar names here : There is Coosa river and Coosa mountain, 
Beaver creek and Beaver mountain, Summit creek and Summit 
mountain, etc. 

Left Blountsville at 8 A. M., two miles in front of which we 
hear General Clantou is, with a rebel division. His largest 
force is across Coosa river. They are placed there to thwart 
our advance, by killing, capturing, or wounding, our whole 
force, which is one thousand seven hundred strong. 

" Let them try it on," as General Eousseau says, "any time 
they please, and the sooner the better." 

These remarks of the bravest, and one of the very best, mil- 
itary men in our whole Federal army, show what kind of a raid- 
ing leader he is. Hurrah for Major General Kousseau ! we all 
say. 

Crossed Coosa river at A. M. The first brigade went to a 
place six miles east of here to engage the enemy's attention, 
while the second brigade crossed the river a mile below here 
in order to flank the enemy. This we soon accomplished, cap- 
turing two colonels, one major, three captains, and fifty-seven 
men; killing nineteen, and wounding forty. 

Re-crossed Coosa river a 2 P. M. This river is very wide 
here, being a mile and a half from bank to bank. It is three 
feet and a half deep, wilh a rapid current, and takes two hours 



^\,,«.* HUMOk5u8 ADVENTURES OF A .VOLUNTEER. lOfl 

to cross it on horseback. Here we had another fight. Killed 
Captain Moore and eighteen of his men ; wounded one lieuten- 
ant colonel and two majors, and captured seventy-three men, 
whom we paroled as we had no way of carrying our prisoners 
along with us. Captain Moore, and nearly all our prisoners, 
belonged to the 42d and -iOth Alabama infantry. I found a 
Masonic badge in the coat pocket of Captain Moore, which I 
wrapped up to send to Governor Brough, the noble, patriotic 
governor of Ohio. Near here we burned 1,000 bales of cotton, 
two cotton gins, and a very large steam iron mill, the last ot 
which is on Cane river, six miles from Talladega. 

Captured Talladega, a good sized town, where the Gtli and 
8th Alabama infantry were stationed before our arrival, but 
they, like other Confed. chivalric heroes, fled before we entered 
and escaped before we took the place. There is a large rebel 
hospital here, which now contains 1,700 sick and wounded sol- 
diers. Colonel Wadsworth and Major St. John among the rest, 
all of whom we left here on parole. The male denizens of the 
town left their female friends and relatives, who pretend to look 
on US Yanks with great favor. 

Departed at ten o'clock A. M., and arrived at Martiusbnrg 
at 7 P. M., wdiere another rebel regiment was stationed, but we 
had a long bridge to cross, and they "vamoosed the ranch" 
before we got to them. 

July 16. — We marched all night last night. At 3 o'clock 
this A. M. one hour's rest was given us. At 5 o'clock we struck 
the Selma railroad, ten miles of the track of which we soon 
destroyed. 

Still on the Mongomcry road, which is a rocky, mountain 
track. The climate produces thousands of lizzards, snakes and 
other poisonous reptiles, with bad insects of all sorts. Here 
we set two ants of different colors fighting. The black one we 
called Jeff. Davis, the light' colored one Abe Lincoln. In a few 
minutes Abe got the better of Jeff., when we again took up 
the line of march. 

Near here is the plantation of Mr. Moore, where two F com- 
pany boys stopped as we were passing to obtain a canteen full 
of drinking water, when Mr, Moore come to his gate and invited 



RQJDSyiC>VE]SyURES GFU VOLrlfTEER. /W ^ A 1/ ^ 



10 nuMo RC*»^,^^ . ..^ - ^.^^ ^. ^., ^^.,.^^^.. „.^«^^ 

them in to dinner. This they could fiot accept without leave, 
and told the planter so, when he, seeing our battalion flag as it 
then was passing his door, wept bitterly, and exclaimed : 

"Thank God ! I see once more the glorious stars and stripes 
waving near my door. This was the idolatry of my former 
days, and remains so yet. Father in Heaven, look with pity 
upon deluded nations led astray by voracious, snake-like leaders. 
Do so, I humbly pray you." 

Reached Tallipoosa river at 10 P. M., and crossed this rapid 
running, wide stream at 1 A. M. of 

July l7. — Lost three men and seven horses, by drowning, as 
we were crossing the Tallipoosa. This is the greatest raid we 
ever heard of, in ancient or modern warfare, and is led by a 
general as worthy of promotion as any other we know who has 
not received it. 

Started at 3 A. M., arriving at Dadesville in seven hours. 
Here we rested one hour, and another hard ride of seven hours 
brought us to Logopoca, which contains one of the largest 
depots on the Montgomery and Atlanta railroad. In this depot 
were stored thousands of barrels of flour, sugar, any amount 
of coflee in sacks, saddles, bridles, hard tack, and all the other 
necessary articles of war. These Ave soon destroyed, burning 
the depot with all its contents, and then went to work at the 
railroad, which we demolished for twenty-eight miles, burning 
nine cotton gins as we slowly moved along. Logopoca should 
have been defended to the last by the rebel soldiers, containing 
as it did the largest amount of cjuarterraaster and commissary 
stores any of us ever saw gathered at any depot. The sky is 
well illuminated by fire just now. 

July IS.— Left Logopoca at 6 A. M. Two hundred bush- 
whackers moved into tlie town after we left, thinking us out of 
sight and hearing. But they soon discovered their mistake, as 
the nth O. V. C. was onlj a mile distant, tearing up the railroad 
track, when we received news of their movement. Quickly 
forming in line, we charged upon them, when they fled indis- 
criminately, only llnding safety in the speed of their horses 
while being pursued by our worn out animals. 

David tJerrouse, acting quartermaster sergeant of G company, 



HUMOROUS ALTENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. Ill 

led, by my orders, seven skirmisliers of this company toward 
General Clanton's force. The rebels being in the woods, my 
skirmisliers were allowed to come within a hundred yards of 
ihem before they fired. The skirmishers quickly returned the 
volley, killing one and wounding another of General Clanton's 
staff officers. David Gerrouse received a slight ilesh wound 
in the upper part of the arm, which was all the calamity that 
happened to my skirmishers. The rebels fled after this, and 
we returned and destroyed ten miles more of the Montgomery 
and Atlanta railroad. 

After accomplishing all our railroad work, we went out the 
Marietta turnpike and took Auburn, driving Clanton and his 
forces into the woods again. Mr. Saunders, formerly a member 
of the State legislature, lives here. He spoke highly of our 
valor, and told me he had opposed this war from tlie first, by 
making a speech to that effect at its beginning, in Montgomery, 
Alabama. How true this is I do not know, but he seemed to 
tell truth, and feel it too, at this time. Ho accepted and thanked 
us for a broken down horse we gave him. 

Jidy 18. — The second'brigade, while we were destroj'ing the 
railroad, moved to our left, where a rebel brigade was posted, 
and cliarged them, killing sixteen, wounding twenty, and cap- 
turing two hundred and eighty, whom General Rousseau pa- 
roled, like all the 'other prisoners, because he could not cany 
them safely along with us. 

July 19. — Left Auburn at 4 o'clock A. M., thankful for this 
first night's rest since we left Decatur, on this famons Rousseau 
raid. Five hours' marching brought us to Opelika, between 
which place and Auburn we destroyed all the railroad, The 
large depot here was also filled with commissary and quarter- 
master stores to an enormous amount. Captured a spy loco- 
motive, with a freight train in its rear, at 10 A. M. Rebel 
government stores will now be scarce along our present route. 
We ate our breakfast at 10:30, which we consider a magnificent 
treat, as we regard one meal a day as a luxur}' beyond anything 
known to sultans in Asia, leaving European kings and emperors 
aside. 

Changed our course again toward Montgomery. Saw very 



112 HUM0K0U8 ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

large fields of sugar cane ten miles south of Opeliks?, where 
there were rebel quarters too, but the occuijauts suddenly left. 
Poor fellows. 

Jnly 20; — Arrived at Lafayette at 7 P. M., where we expected 
a strong fight, but found ourselves mistaken, as no fighting men 
confronted us. We captured six ofiicers who were secreted in 
houses here, and then paroled them, much to their gratification 
and that of their courtseying, hoop skirted friends. Posted at 
11 P. M. 

July 21. — Started again at 4 A. M., when company E and 
company G, my gray horse Cincinnati company, were the grand 
escort of General Rousseau, who was then resting himself by 
riding in a captured, buggy. Shortly after starting our brave 
General Pousseau heard the enemy was massing his forces at 
Fredonia, and there we went to engage him, but found no enemy 
at all. 

Arrived at the Georgia State line at 2 o'clock, entered Car- 
rolton at 4, and moved on toward Marietta. Crossed Coosa 
once more, and entered A'^illaricca, thirty seven miles from 
Marietta, Georgia, at 6 P. M. 

July 22. — Left \'illaricca at 5 A. M., and destroyed a large 
turntable six miles from tliere. Arrived at Powder springs at 
1 P. M., which is only twelve miles from Marietta. Here we 
met General Sherman's pickets, the first Unioa soldiers we have 
seen on this raid. 

Arrived at Marietta at 6 P. M., where we were told of the 
capture of wtrks of the enemy close up to Atlanta, but were 
grieved to hear of tlie death of General McPherson, one of 
Ohio's noblest sons, who was killed in the front by the enemy's 
sharpshooters. On this whole raid our regiment has only lost 
twenty-seven men, who were captured by their own straggling 
without leave. I am happy to say that G company did not 
lose a single man, as»I obeyed General Rousseau's orders to 
march in the rear of the company and not allow one of them 
to leave the ranks, unless to dismount, give his reins to his 
partner in file, walk to a well, return, mount his horse, and keep 
in ranks. 

On rcachirg Marietta -^ve received three hearty cheers from 



HUM0R0U3 AD^':ENTUEES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 113 

troops there who were aware of the splendid duty we had 
performed under our leader, General Rousseau, Kentucky's 
noble son. 

July 23. — "We had a very poor night's rest, as it rained all 
night, and we had nothing to keep us out of the wet. Blankets 
and tents we left, according to orders, at Mooresville, when we 
started on the celebrated Rousseau raid. 

We are again ordered out, at 9 A. M., to go on another raid^ 
under General McCook, and started on our fagged horses. At 
Marietta, oii our way to the Chatahoochee river, we passed a 
very large rebel graveyard. Arrived at a bridge fifteen miles 
from Marietta, which is on Sherman's right. Along the route 
we passed many elegant mansions, all unoccupied. Log huts 
and houses, like Indian wigwams, are also abundant on this 
road. Southern chivahy abodes indeed. Such is alwaj's tlie 
result of war. 

July 25. — Have had one good night"'s rest, and believe, in this 
case, "fortune favors tlie brave." We are guarding a pontoon 
bridge of rebel construction. Guards were firing across this 
river rapidly at each other, but it has been stopped, as random 
shooting is considered worthless. There is a large number of 
rebel soldiers on the opposite bai:k. 

Jnly 26. — We are reliefs to General Stoneman's division, who 
were here before us. General Stoncman crossed here 3'ester- 
day and returned for reinforcements. The 9th Ohio cavalry is 
ordered out again, and moved onward at 3 P. M., reaching a 
junction twelve miles distant at 7 P. M. Rested one hour, and 
moved through a bad mountain road, ourselves and horses be- 
ing jaded and almost worn out. This is the darkest night we 
have yet passed through. Talk about hard work. If this is 
not something of that kind I am ignorant of all laborious em- 
ployment. 

July 27. — Rested from 3 to 7 A. M., the rain pouring down 
on us very heavily ; which reminds me of the old saying, "No 
rest for the weary." Started forward, the rain still falling in 
torrents. We traveled by a new route, which seemed belter 
than any we yet passed over. Reached a place eighteen miles 
from our late camp ground, where we saw a -board nailed to a 
8 



114: HUMOEOUS ADTENTUKES OF A TOLUNTEEB. 

tree, on wbicli was painted, in Eoman letters, the following 
•words : 

" TO HELL FlYE MILES ! ! ! COME OX YANKS ! ! ! " 

Notwithstanding this threat of chivalric fellows, we moved 
forward without hesitation, when, shortly after, a German ofH- 
cer being near me, I said : 

"Lieutenant, can you tell me when hops are of stouter Ger- 
man matter than jumps?" 

His answer to my stomachic allusive question was : " "When 
leading to beer (bier) vaults." 

"Ah," said the lieutenant again, "there indeed would be a 
move, as going that way we would be bowl-ers and batt-ers in 
a cricket lield, winning by scores this hot da}'." 

I took a chew of tobacco and said : 

" Lieutenant, when are ladies like fast horses?" 

Which he answered by saying: 

" When rushing on with racy veins of sarcasm." 

"AVomen, wqmen," he added, "are often fast leaders; but in 
this they cannot excel what Fritz says, in broken English, about 
some certain military officers. About these Fritz discourseth 
thus : 

" Von kurnel mit law sits in s^ate, meinheer, ». 

(Der chief vos der recruits create, dat's clear ) 
For reasons I here, a goot deutscher, sail dell — 
Der teufel makes up petti-foggers in h — 1, 
Who '11 live as dey die, demi-johns on a swell !" 

And he then added : 

" To toil and fret, 

And calmly set 
Upon a stool while lunching, 

Is all the lot 

That Sallie 's got 
When Sam goes out a punching." 

"When is an eye like a barrel, Lieutenant?" I asked, fixing 
my reins and preparing to trot off to my company. 

" You ask me, 'when is an eye like a barrel?' I can tell you 
that. It is wlicn it is bunged up, sir." 

Hearing this plain answer to my open question, away I went 



HCMOKOUS ADYENTUEES OF A VOLUKTEEK. 115 

and rejoined my company without receiving any other bnug. 

Julij 28. — Arrived opposite Cambleton at 8 A. M., and the 
9th O. V. C. was placed as guard over a pontoon bridge and 
two 10-pound Parrott guns. The 3d Confederate infantry and 
a regiment of Texas rangers occupy Cambleton, and have strong 
breastworks on the river bank. Firing .commenced when we 
got here, but it was stopped by the Oth Ohio cavahy. Five 
regiments, under General McCook, are two miles below us 
erecting a pontoon 1)ridge. Our second battalion is here, com- 
manded by Captain Bowles. The captain's quarters are at the 
house of Hon. T. Bidlard, a secesh chief who vacated his prem- 
ises, taking sixty slaves with him, the evening before we arrived. 
At 10 A. M. Major Payne, of the first AVisconsiu cavalry, com- 
manding one of his battalions, entered Cambleton, killing and 
wounding fifry-three rebel soldiers. While making this charge 
the major fell, shot through the breast, at the head of his men. 
His last words, spoken just before he reached the ground and 
his voice had been forever hushed in death, were : 

"Charge, men, charge!" • 

Ten rebel regiments reinforced the Texas rangers, and the 
1st "\Viscousin cavalry fell back, losing ten men^ Thej^ joined 
the 9th 0. V. C. and remained with us. 

July 20. — General McCook's division, independent of Gen- 
eral Stuneman's, 2,300 strong, reached the Macon and Atlanta 
railroad, near Noonan, and destroyed seventeen miles of the 
track, on both sides of Lovejoy's station; burned one thousand 
five hundred bales of cotton, and two railroad de])ots full of 
c[uartermaster, commissar}-, and ordnance stores. Proceeding 
on towards Macon he captured and burned one thousanc^ two 
hundred wagons and six bridges, making illuminations whicli 
shed so bright a light that we could plainly see the fires at a 
distance of twelve miles. 

We sent a flag of truce to Cambleton, in order to obtain the 
body of the lamented Major Payne, but the rebel leader stated 
that it had been buried, whicli was all the answer we received. 
Ordered to return at 7 P. M., and obeyed orders, taking the 
pontoon bridges and two Parrott guns with us in the direction 
of Marietta. 



116 HUMOROUS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 

July 30.— Kestcd at 2 A. M., moved on at 5, and at 7 A. M, 
captured sevent_y-tliree guerrillas. We were on this raid sixty- 
five miles south of Atlanta, destroying more railroads. "VYe 
are oystermen in some respects, goino: slap dash into deep 
water, seeking shoals to obtain shell-fish for longing shell iisli- 
ites and Union lovers.' Reached Yining's station, nine miles 
from Marietta, at 9 P. M., where we camped. 

July 31, — Received our mail here to-day, Avhich makes us 
soldiers very happy. My family are all well, for whicli 1 humbly 
thank my great Creator. 

August 1, 18G4. — It is very foggy here this morning. What 
a barren soil lies under our feet in this part of Georgia. It 
seeriis a wilderness. Talk about cannibals in stones. Here 
they should live in nature. Got leave to go to Marietta, and 
there I saw Colonel Brownlow, who had just arrived bareheaded 
and barefooted, bringing a part of his regiment, the 4th Tenn- 
essee cavalry, with him. He reports the greater part of Mc- 
Cook's division surrounded, but nearly all of them cut their 
wa}' through the rebel ranks, and succeeded in making their 
escape. 

Au'j;ust 2. — Ten thousand head of captured cattle are passing 
here for Sherman's front. AVent to the Soldiers' Home here, 
which is well conducted, and in charge of' Mr. Charles Fitch, of 
Columbus, Ohio. Captain Todd, a cousin of President Lincoln, 
lias the whole charge of this splendid editice. Returned to 
Yining's station and saw two hundred and eight}' rebel priso- 
ners at the depot. They were captured near Atlanta, and be- 
longed to a dozen different regiments. Among these prisoners 
was if Lieutenant Saunders, who had married a southern lady 
of means at Marietta last May, nearly two months before we 
took it, and was with his young wife at the time of its capture. 
Soon after the fall of the place suspicion was attracted to their 
house, and a squad of guards were sent to search it. When 
they entered the premises the young husband was snugly en- 
sconsed between the mattrasscs of his bed, and his wife was 
on top of the coverlid, pretending great sickness. The pro- 
verbial gallantry of the American soldier prevented any farther 
molcbtation of the sick lady and secured the escape of her 



HDMOEOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLTTNTEEK. 117 

husband. The only advantage that resulted from this manouvre 
was that Lieutenant Saunders was honorably captured in the 
field, instead of being; taken at home when his friends stood so 
fearfully in need of his services. This instance is anotherillus- 
tration of the angelic qualities of femininity, when possessed 
of a moral mind. 

August Z. — There is a signal corps here at Yiniug's station, 
and an extensive hospital which now contains' 2,000 sick and 
wounded men. 

August 3. — Ordered to report all servicable horses to the 
adjutant. Found three servicable horses in my Cincinnati com 
pany. 

August 5. — General McCook arrived at Marietta to-day. He 
destroyed twenty-five miles of the Macon and Cohimbia rail- 
road, and went to the suburbs of Macon before he returned. A 
new bridge is completed across the Chatahoochee river, two 
miles south of Vining's station, where we dismounted members 
of the 9th Ohio volunteer cavahy are, at present, posted on 
guard duty. : 

August 6. — h. number of poor southern women are here to- 
day with blackberries to sell for coffee and sugar. Anxious to 
obtain some of my favorite and healthy berries, I addressed 
one of the best looking women, who had but very few berries 
left. 

" My good woman," said I, looking lovingly at her, 

" 'A "sweet face haunts my lonely way; 

Deep mournful eyes and thoughtful brow, 
On which the grave mold lieth now, 
Half veiled in shadows cold and gray. 

The twilight died and I alone 

Stood gazing on that senseless clay. 

In awful beauty all its own. 

Oh, fortune, fame, and friends, aro gone; 

I did not mourn them when they fled, 

For, from their ashes cold and dead, 

A sweet one rose and drives me on.' " 

The young lady I here poetically addressed, listened, and 
seeming of a literary turn, asked me laughingly if I did not want 



118 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

to buy her last quart or berries. I told her certainly, and with- 
out more words she gave them to me and I paid her in coffee 
and sngar, 

August 8. — Portions of General Stoneman's regiments, who 
were out with him on his raid, got here to day. I saw parts of 
the 1st, 4th, and 11th Kentucky cavalry ; the 14th and 16th 
Illinois cavalry, and the 9th Michigan cavalry. They report 
that they were surrounded by rebel infantry and cavalry, who 
numbered ten to their one ; that General Stoneman being com- 
pelled to surrender, ordered his men to do so, or cut their way 
out, whichever they thought best. These men adopted the cut- 
ting out method, as they preferred death to a surrender, and 
lost forty men each. Glory to such bravery. These men did 
not care if the enemy's force was 12,000 strong ; they had 1,700 
and succeeded in getting back to Marietta. General Stoneman 
and live hundred men were captured. 

Viewed Kenesaw mountain from Yining's hill, where a signal 
corps is stationed, and saw a correct copy of the scene in 
Frank, Leslie's Illustrated News, for August Gth, 1864. Old 
Sol brings perspiration from every pore, at the foot of this 
hill ; yet he might lead to shuddering if we Yanks' were near 
soda fountains, submerged in icy particles, indulging in a taste 
of this cooling beverage. 

August 10. — The twenty-third army corps, under General 
Schofield, moved three miles to the right. Co.mpanies E and 
F, 9th Ohio volunteer cavalry, have been sent .to guard wagon 
trains. Ours is the only Rousseau raid regiment now left here 
all the others having gone back to obtain servicable horses and 
retain possession of their former posts. Those members of 
our regiment who are fortunate enough to be n:ounted, arc 
now stationed two miles from East Point, and one mile from 
the railroad. 

Auqttst 11. — Generals Dodge and Schofield have both sent 
for all the serviceable men and horses of our regiment. The 
farrier, nfter a full inf;pection, pronounced eighty-three horses 
of the whole regiment serviceable, yet five hundred men of the 
9th O. Y. C. have joined the twenty third army corps on the 
extreme right. The dismounted men, three hundred and eighty 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 119 

in number, are to remain on duty Iiere until the receipt of fur- 
tlier orders. 

August 12. — We are guarding the large field hospital here, 
which now contains one thousand one hundred wounded and 
sick men. The balance of the regiment got here on a train 
from Mooresville to-da/. The twenty-third army corps advanced 
six miles farther to the right. All company horse equipments 
were turned over to Captain Stough ty-day. 

August 13. — The 20th Indiana light battery moved past here 
to day, going to the right wing. Heard of Doran, our regi- 
mental bugler. He is in prison at Macon, Georgia. He was 
captured near Talladega, on our Rousseau raid. Doran is a 
fighting man when he drinks, which he did at Talladega, and 
takes no insulting word from any one then. As an instance of 
this : 

"When we left Talledega General Rousseau's adjutant general 
ordered Doran out of his road, as he wanted to pass without 
hindrance from such a fellow. Doran's muscles were excited 
by this language and he said: 

" I '11 be d — d if I 'ra any more of a fellow than 3''ou, and I 
can prove this to you mighty soon, if you think it needs to be 
l^roved." 

This speech aroused the adjutant's ire, and he and Doran had 
a list fight, Doran coining out winner. Intelligence of this 
coming to General Rousseau he- threw his dignity aside; told 
Doran to strip and fight him as his equal, and leave shoulder 
straps aside ; which Doran agreed to, went in, and got whipped. 
The general must be a fighting man every waj^, as Doran, whom 
he whipped so easily, is equal in the science of fisticuffs to any 
prize fighter of his weight and size in the Amer ican ro ped 
arena. 

Aujust 11 — Went to the top of Vining's hill to-day, where 
Lieutenant Brent is stationed with the signal corps, and there 
saw Atlanta's church steeples, and some of its breastworks in 
our front, Avith Kenesaw, Stone, and Pine mountains, in our 
rear. These seem to be triplicate productiuns of nature, about 
equal distances apart. Stone mountain is nearest Atlanta, then 
Kenesaw, and then Pine mountain. We are ordered to build 



120 HUMOEOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

entrenchments near the Chatahoochee river, half a mile distant, 
and have begnn work there. 

August 15. — The dismounted 9th Ohio cavalrymen are still 
at Vining's station. Heard at 10 A- ]\r. that the enemy under 
Wlieeler M^as advancing, and was within three miles of us. 
"We formed in line of battle, one mile m front, commanded by 
Captain Stougli. Sent out scouts and in two hours found that 
the enemy was not coming to Vining's station. The 4th Ohio 
heavy artillery fell in with us. They are sixty- three strong, 
under Captain Hoffman, and are going home to be mustered out 
of service. AVe hear the rebels destroyed six miles of our 
railroad, near Dalton, 3^esterday before the Federal force came 
upon them. They were overtaken to-day and lost ninety-eight 
in killed and woun4ed, and two hundred and seventeen in cap- 
tured. 

August 16. — AVent to Marietta on a leave, and saw the lOtli 
Indiana infantry going home on a train, their time being out. 
Heard the following poetry recited by a disabled soldier at the- 
Soldiers' Home to-day : 

"A soldier who 'd been heaving yarns 

About his tent ere roll call. 

Who 'd soaked liis mess in foolish darns. 

From Love's bright vista stole all, 
' 1 've been,' said he, 'a foolish chap, 
A mirthful, gay like lover 
In days of yOre, when on my lap 
Sate Nell and Kate, in clover; 
In forward march I then quick stepped 
Commanded but by beauty. 
Then charged through lot3 o-f love, and cr&pi 
To military duty. 

*■ Halt! ' cries a sergeant, 'that 's enough; 
Tou 're regularly mustered.* 
I 'm what? No pepper stripes can bluS 
A well made can of castaixi. 
'Fall in;' 'retreat;' 'thy cannonade- 
Beyond my flanks are tlying.' 
' Reserves, advance!. Let every maid 
Unlimbersei^eants Ijnng^.*" 

So uniform has been this thetue 

Of yoking perfumed flowers, 

That .shadows on man's future, seem 

To glow like sunset hours.'* 



HUMOROUS ADTENTUEES OF A YOLUNTEEK. 121 

August 17. — One Imndred and seventeen horses were bronglit 
here and mounted by that number of our men, wlio have ioined 
the regiment and gone on another raid under General Kilpat- 
rick.. 

A^igtist 18. — Very foggy here this morning. Heard heavy 
cannonading on our right to-day. A rebel deserter named Ka- 
heely, a private in the 42d Georgia infantry, swam across the 
river and gave himself up. He lives fifteen miles south of 
Marietta. He says false stories have been widely circulated 
by Janes, one of Hood's scouting spies. Janes is despised by 
all who know him, as a lying, worthless scamp. Kilpatrick has 
gone towards Macon. 

August 19. — Thirty-seven captured officers were sent through 
here to Marietta to-day. The greater portion of these men are 
disguised, and are openly tyranical in principle, saying we Feds 
ought to be taught what we will soon know, that southern men 
are obly fighting for liberty in their own native land, where no 
others can come armed without their leave. They also say we 
never can take Atlanta ; and to our, not their, loss we will 
soon discover that fact. The last speaking chivalric hero was 
a very large man, and had a heavy voice, which reminded me of 
a certain class of opera singers, whose deep toned voices might 
be likened to a certain kind of fish and called bass. I felt a 
virtue in my quick thought that m-vestid citizens should take 
tlftngs coolly in the South, because nothing should unbosom 
their equanimity, or rufUe their composure, Avhile soldiers are 
muzzle in' their Long-streets or Hardies in de-la(i)nes. 

Heat in expression here may make an inveterate toper 
and water-hater finish his life by vindictively " kicking the 
bucket." 

Our artillery on the right and center is throwing sliot and 
shell into Atlanta very rapidly to-day. The right wing, under 
General Schofield, is now nearest the town. The twenty-third 
corps moved six miles farther to the right. Two hundred and 
forty rebel prisoners were brought in here to-day. One hun- 
dred and seventy of them aic Alabamians, mIio deserted, tlioy 
gay, because they find it useless to fight us brave western men 
any longer. 



122 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

August 22. — Firing in front all night. A woman near here 
was conlined last night ; previous to which I took her daughter- 
in-law past our pickets to obtain a physician for her. Caught 
a bad cold in the rain. 

August 23. — Tlie mounted portion of our regiment is now 
camped at Sandtown, on our extreme right, near the camp 
meeting ground known as Mount Gilead. Saw Dr. McMillan, 
our assistant regimental surgeon, who tells me to go to the 
twenty-third corps hospital at Marietta, as he has not the med- 
icine I need. 

Started on a train at 1 o'clock P. M., and was placed in the 
twenty-third army corps officers' hospital. Major Finch and 
Colonel Hamilton are both here sick. 

Axigunt 24. — Have the intermittant billions fever, for which I 
am under treatment. 

August 25. — The chaplain of the 50th Ohio infantry is sick 
in the next bed. He has singular whims in regard to both war 
and peace. His most fiequent remarks are about our want of 
men in front, ricli men instead of poor, and our great need of 
pious feelings everywhere. While making a pious exhortation 
he saw a number of ladies slowl}' passing our sick tents, who 
gazed Avith pity on us, and he concluded his conversation by 
walking out towards tliem and saying: 

"Oh, gentlemen, look out. There go our towers of great 
strength." # 

Avgust 25. — Heard an excellent sermon preached to-day over 
the corpse of Captain Dudley A. King, of New York, who died 
yesterday evening of wounds received in front of Atlanta, July 
28, 1864-. He was the son of Eeverend T. Starr King, who left 
New York for California, some time since, on account of perse- 
cution by some of his church members. 

• Lieutenant Colonel Slevins of the 100th Ohio infantry isdiere, 
wounded in the left arm'. This gallant colonel is a gentleman 
of considerable humor, and showed it this morning by quietly 
asking: 

/Oii," Where is Lieutenant 2" • 

; And the answer came: 

"Here, Colonel." 



HUMOROUS ADYENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 123 

But the colonel pretended not to hear it, and continued by 
saying-: 

" Well, if the lieutenant is not here now I '11 bet he soon will 
be, because he always presents his flask of divine liquidity to 
his friends, saying as he offers it: 'Here, gentleman, indulge to 
a slight extent in this costly, very costlj', article of strong drink.' 
I always believed in a gentlemanly kindness, and here 's this 
lieutenant as an instance of this. Yes, gentlemen ; he 's the 
most generous, kind, humane, nobly gifted, indulgent, open 
hearted, patriotic being among us. Moreover, he is the much 
beloved and liighly respected possessor of the very necessary 
strengthening material which, according to custom, is confined 
in a flask." 

Here the lieutenant showed the empty flask, when the colonel 
sighed, lay down quietly, and ended his eulogy of the lieutenant 
and his flask by depositing himself in the arms of his friend 
Morpheus. 

General Kilpatrick has just returned from a successful raid. 
He destroyed nineteen miles of the Macon railroad, captured 
five cannon and three hundred prisoners, who have arrived at 
Marietta, killed and wounded one hundred and thirty-seven men, 
captured one thousand two hundi-ed mules, destroyed two de- 
pots and five bridges, the former filled with rebel commissary 
and quartermaster stores. He lost in killed, wounded, and cap- 
tured, one hundred and thirteen men altogether. Glorious for 
Ivilpatrick. 

August 26. — The dismounted members of our regiment arc 
ordered to Nashville to procure horses, and staited by railroad 
at 10 P. M. . 

August 27. — Ean sLwly until 1 A. M., when a crash in front 
indicated that something was wrong, and we soon found that 
the locomotive and first four cars were thrown from the track. 
This was thirteen miles from Marie tfa and six miles from Big 
Shanty, at the latter of which places two of our regiments are 
stationed. The crash- was immediately followed by a volley 
from one hundred and fifty of Wheeler's cavalry, wlio were 
ambushed he/e. The 9th Ohio cavalry, quickly forming in line, 
returned the fire and then charged, compelling these demons 



124 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

to retreat on their fast liorses, when they found who they had 
to deal with. Our losses were : Killed, Corporal Griffin, of M 
company, and Private H. Hodge, of K company. Wounded, 
Sergeant Carnahan, M company ; Privates Israel Hull and S. G« 
Martin, and a teamster named I. Morgan. The ambushing house 
opposite is Bayard Eauney's. This fellow is a lieutenant in 
Wheeler's cavalry, as his lirrle neice, five years old, told us as 
I picked her up from a fall she received in front of her door. 
She said : 

" Untie Bay, he now don' to cotch de Yanks, and kill 'em ; 
an' he done dat ; an' he now gone away, so glad, Uncle Bay 
is." 

Captain and left last night, jumping from the cars, 

and took the woods for it, bareheaded and barefooted, if truth 
is told. ]f such is the case, I should be ashamed ever to come 
back, if I were one of them. 

There is a large nulitary graveyard at BigShantj^ The best 
made grave there is that of Adjutant David A. Ileese, 54th 0, 
Y. I.; next is that of M. Waterhouse, 8th Missouri infantry; 
and opposite is the well made grave of James McCausland, 
3:2d Illinois infantry. 

The repairs of cars and railroad finished, we again started 
for Nashville at 4 P. M. 

August 28. — Peached Tunnel hill at 5 A. M., which once was 
and still might have been a rebel stronghold, iiad they not been 
attacked and forced to retreat by the very noblest general in 
tlie whole United States service, I mean Major General Sher- 
man. 

There are furt^^-one rcfngee women on this train, all pioperly 
cared for. 

August 29. — Left Taiitallon at C A. M., arriving at Murfrees- 
boro at 5 P. M., where a crowd ol srrung sece.sh women were 
gathered at the depot with a large lot of eatables, which was 
bought for three hundred and fifty rebel prisoners known to be 
on the train behind us. Arrived in Nashville, and moved to 
Camp Smith, three miles south of the city. 

August clU. — Took medicine given me by Major Finch, our 
surgeon. 



HUMOROUS ALVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEER, 1-0 

August 31. — Stayed all night, sick as I am, tcntlcss and with 
no other covering than the sky. Hear firing hj our skirmishers 
live miles south of us, where it is reported that two divisions 
of Wheeler's cavalry are now advancing toward Mashville. We 
are ordered to be in readinessin one hour. In less time than 
that we are awaiting orders, dismounted though we are. 

Septemher> 1. — Ordered to take three days rations andsixty 
rounds of amunition. 

September 2. — The available 9th Ohio cavalry started out 
mounted, having obtained horses at the corral this the hottest 
day of this year. Sent to the olFicers' hospital at 10 A. M., and 
was taken with congestive chills at 5 P. M. My life was saved 
by Dr. Green, who sat up with me till past midniglit. I hear 
Atlanta is ours. Our men are again under Genei-al Eousscan, 
pursuing Wliceler south of Duck river. In a charge on them 
near here, our troops captured fifry-seven men and live hundred 
and thirty one horses. "Fight or fly," is General Rousseau's 
motto, and the robs agree to the latter part of his programme, 
taking flj^ days into consideration, they exert themselves to 
escape contagion by being adroit Wheel ers on a?ii-mules, every 
chance oflfered tliem. The limes says : 

"Wheeler may be classed among the ]'layed out, used up, 
extinguished generals of the rebellion. If he were captured 
and brought t« Nashville, he could not raise a broiled chicken 
or a plate of ice cream among his late female admirers. Gen- 
eral Rousseau, in taking five hundred of Wheeler's horses, lays 
himself liable to the grave charge of putting a treasonable ex- 
pedition on footy 

Scpte/nbtr 0. — Received a twenty days leave of absence to- 
day. 

September 12, — Reached Cincinnati and found m^- family all 
well. 

September 18. — There was a McClclIan torch! iglit procession 
to-night, which was led by a grand landlord who pushes poor 
people out of his houses whenever they fail to pay a month's' 
rent in advance. 

" Xow by my sword," spake that gallant lord, 
" We will meet them in the (ield. 



126 HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 

Let each gtilhint knight equip for the fight, 
And traitors be they who yield." 



HOUSE RENT. 

A landlord quite we:ilthy, a short time ago, 
Left home to procure monthly wnges. 
Where soldiers' wives dwelt he presented as beau, 
The miser who owned those bird-cages. 
Re asked for his rents ere the government paid 
The sums that his tenants so nobly had made. 
"0, fie, sir; 0, fie," said a lady he jawed. 
Who hoped to awake his true feeling; 
" I 'm durned if I do, you shall out or be lawed," 
And he jerked up his hat to the ceiling. 
But this was soon over. A neighboring cane 
• Most properly lashed out an Able again. 
" Hurrah ! " says myself, a poor soldier spectator, - 
" This fellow 's well thrashed, like a gold speculator. 
Mny pure palmy days come, when war 's at an end. 
And miserly landlords and brokers must bend." 

Ssptcmbcr 24-. — There is a o-rand Union torch ligiit procession 
here to-night, which is tlie largest I ever saw. Besides the 
thousands on foot there are thousands on horses, in buggies, 
carria-^'es, and wagons, who all cheer for Abraham Lincoln and 
Andrew Johnson, as the)^ move on through the streets, led by 
the dozens of splendid bands of music. Hurrah for such an 
elegant display of patriotic principles. 

Sep!€m.her'2d. — Left Cincinnati for Louisville on my return to 
the front. 

Septnnher 30. — Arrived at Nashville. 

Octoler 11. — Tiie vote of Ohio soldiers was taken here to- 
day, resulting as follows : 

Lincoln, ....--. 137 

McClellan, 000 

Fremont, 000 



Union majorIt_y, ..... 137 
October 18. — Tlie Dth Ohio volunteer cavalry isnowatCliat- 
tanooga, Tennessee, under General Scholield, and supj)lied with 



HUM0K0U3 AD VENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 127 

fresh horses. Hood rapidly retreated from Dalten with Sherman 
after him. 

ISovcmhcr IG. — Reported for duty to-day to Colonel Lowe, at 
Camp Webster, where 1 was informed that the mounted men 
of the Uth Ohio cavalry had departed under General Sherman, 
leaving the dismounted men behind. The disnKiunted caval- 
rymen now here number three thousand. Major Lnper, of the 
7th Ohio cavalry, commanding the Mississippi cavalry di- 
vision. 

JSovemherld. — Ordered to attend to equipments for thelStli 
Kentucky cavalry. I did so, and to my surprise saw Major 
Simmes, who resigned at Fulaski, four months since, at Captain 
Cox's (quartermaster) ofBce as chief clerk. Major iSimmes was 
a fine field ofiicer, liked by all his men, and when he resigned 
was in command of the first battalion of the 0th Ohio cav- 
alry. 

JS'ovember'H. — Brought four hundred and twenty-five men of 
the 10th and 12th Tennessee cavalry to camp. Saw Captain 
Irviu, of M company, 9th Ohio cavalry, at Nashville. There 
is an Irishman named O'Conner in the barracks here. lie be- 
longs to a Missouri cavalry regiment. lie absents himself on 
whisky drinking exploits frequently. A good story of this fel- 
low is current here. 

A countrywoman of his keeps a whisky sliop at Nashville, 
and she induces him, poor fool, to act bar keeper for her ; not 
merely because he can obtain customers, but because he is a 
good one himself, being possessed of six hundred dollars which 
he obtained by going substitute for a drafted man in St. Louis 
This Biddy is one of them sure. She represents herself as a 
widow, anxious to obtain a good second husband, and tries to 
make every customer believe himself the best loved one of all^ 
her visitors. Some men, thinking this true, treat all hands, and 
this frequently leads to fights, one of which occuried tliere 
yesterday, when, to stop the fracas and make peace, she cried 
out: 

"Ochone! Ochonc ! Sure yccs all know how I like yez, and 
yees all ought to be quiet when yees are with me in me own 
house. Share the police might come after yez all, an' take you, 



128 HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEK. ' 

agrah," (looking at one,) "or you, asthore," (to another,) "or 
you, arrouchal," (to a third,) "and thin fhat could I do ? Fhere's 
the mon can say any other ways nor this? Faix, thin, it's me- 
self would like to be looking upon his ugly mug whin he'd say 
it." 

These entreaties quelled the men, and they again indulged in 
her strong drinks. 

Conner, in this, reminds me of a poor fellow whose whisky 
drinking propensities were led on by a female he met in New 
Orleans some years ago. She was very handsome, and leading 
her child, who was about four years old, along the upper part 
of Canal street, looking for rooms which she desired to rent. 
Being a stranger in the citj', and an elegant dress maker, short 
of funds, she was looking for a small convenient place of bus- 
iness, where, by virtuous means, she could rej)lenish her purse. 
The man I here allude to was a good mechanic, tolerably well 
to do. in the world, was also passing up Canal street wlien he 
saw this lady looking at all the houses which had rent bills on 
them. This saticsfied him that she was looking for something 
of the kind, and he stopped and asked her if she was looking 
for rooms to rent. 

She said she was, but, being an entire stranger, she thought 
it would be hard to find a proper small business place for a 
poor dress maker, like herself, who could not afford to pay high 
rent. 

Mr. B h told her he was glad to hear tjiis, as he owned a 

vacant cottage near by that would just suit her, which he would 
show her if she would accompany him. 

To this she consented, and soon found a place such as she 
wanted. The next day she moved in ; and one night not long 

afterward, Mr. B h brought a sign marked: 

" Mrs. C , Fashionable Dress Maker." 

Mrs. C hrst saw this in the morning after it had been 

fastened up in iront of the entrance. She was surprised and 
pleased, yet anxious to know who had porfoinicd so friendly 
an action for so complete a stranger. Seeing her landlord pass- 
ing, and believing that he it was who had done this kindness, 
she asked him if it was not so. Being closely questioned he 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 129 

finally acknowledged the fact, when she said she accepted the 
favor provided he permitted a return. To this lie consented, 
and in about a week she gave him six well made linen shirts 
which she manufactured herself. This brought on an intimate 
acquaintance between the widowed dressmaker and bachelor 
landlord, resuUing in love on his part and strong friendly feel- 
ings on her side. 

" I was fully in hopes," said he, "that she loved me as I did 
her. I drew freely on my imagination in order to convince 
myself that such was really the case, and sought many occa- 
sions to bring the reality of these happy feelings home to my 
heart. I had a sanguine, impressionable nature, in every sense, 
and being unconscious of any defects in my feelings I resolved 
to tell Mrs. C. how I adored her, and ask her to become my 
wife. These feelings gave me a feverish strength, which, in- 
stead of prostrating my energies, led me rapidly to a denoue- 
ment fatal to my hopes and blasting to my future happiness 
forever. I, five months after our first acquaintance, on my 
knees, asked her to become my wife, telling her I loved her to 
distraction. She refused me, however, saying she loved another 
person, v;ho was as great a stranger as myself, and, conse- 
quently, under such circumstances, she could not accej)t me as 
her expected husband. The coolness with which the refusal 
was made forever destroyed my fond hopes, and Heft her with- 
out uttei'ing one word more, went to a drinking saloon, became 
intoxicated, and have continued so ever since. 1 am now nearly 
penniless, and care not how soon Dame Nature calls me home 
finds me a bed in the lap of Mother Earth, and stills forever 
the warm pulsations with which my breakiiig heart yet throbs." 

Although apparently romantic, this is no made up story. Jt 
is true ; as is everything else that is put down in this humble 
diary. 

JSovemher 24:. — x\ rebel brigade attacked eight hundred Union 
soldiers, on a railroad train, near Pulaski, Tennessee, this 
morning, thinking to captuie all of them; but the United Statos 
troops took one hundred prisoners, including their brigade 
band. The balance succeeded in making their escape, much 
to our sorrow. 



e 



130 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUNTEEE, 

'November 25. — Hood's army is approaclnng, and is reported 
thirty-live miles from Nashville. The 10th Tennessee cavalry 
has received horses and gone to the front, accompanied hy a 
part of the 7th Ohio cavalry. Hood's advance is reported 
near Franklin, Tennessee, which is on the south bank of Little 
Harpeth river. 

ISovcinber 26. — Camp Webster is a very polite place to th 
god of rain, as it permits him to enter crevices in the barracks, 
and baptize all the occupants of these buildings. It is raining 
heavily. 

fiovcmher 27. — Had the founders of Nashville named it at 
this time of year, it would have been termed Mud City instead 
of Rock City. Forrest tried to cross Dock liver to day, live 
miles below Columbia, Tennessee, but did not accomjlish his 
object. The twenty-third army corps, under General Schcheld, 
is now at Columbia. Hood is reported 49,000 strong, in the 
rear of Forrest. 

JS'ovemher 20. — Appointed commander of one hundred Otli 
Ohio cavalrymen to-day, and drew one hundred and live horses, 
seventy-iive sabres, and forty-six carbines to fully equip them. 
Great excitement prevails at Nashville. Our three thousand 
cavalrymen are ordered, by Colonel Minor, commanding Camp 
Webster, to be ready for action immediately. Wagons loaded 
with commissary and quartermaster stares are moving to Nasli- 
ville. Every preparation is made to meet the enenl3^ The 
Captain and forty men of A company, 7th Ohio cavahy, were 
taken prisoners yesterday, near Franklin, Tennessee, on Duck 
river. 

November 30. — Captain J. Irwin, of M company, 9th Ohio 
cavalry, my senior officer, arrived here to-day, and took com- 
mand of my one hundred detached men. He thus becomes 
the responsible person for all the ordnance and quartermaster 
stores I have drawn for these men. Two companies of the 2d 
Michigan cavalry, it is reported, Mere captured yesterday eve- 
iifng near Franklin, previous to the great battle which came off" 
there to-day at 3 F. M., resulting in the disastrous defeat of 
Hood's whole army. Before the enemy's attack wc constructed 
rille pits, and made breast works in crescent shape, both ends 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 131 

resting on the river. This gave us a line completely covering 
the town. Our army, under General Schotiekl, had scarcely 
taken its position when the rebel column approached, planted 
batteries on all the roails leading into Franklin, and in a grove 
near our left. All these batteries soon opened on our works, 
and were responded to by our batteries and large fort pieces. 
Cannister and grape was poured into their solid columns as they 
advanced, cutting them down by scores ; yet the}^ never halted, 
but, yelling like tigers, came steadily on untilthey got within 
musket range, when our infantry poured Minnies by the bnshel 
into their ranks, mowing them down by the hundreds, nay, thou- 
sands, until they were checked. Four times Cleburne's and 
Cheatham's divisions charged our works in front of the second 
division, twenty third corps, trying to pierce our lines at this 
point and get possession of the pontoon bridge across the river; 
but they were repulsed with terrible slaughter each time. The 
fighting soon became a hand to hand conflict, they trying to 
penetrate our lines, and at one place succeeded in obtaining 
entrance, but those who entered never came out again, as they 
were all killed, wounded, or captured. Notwithstanding all 
these repulses the enemy continued their desperate charges 
against our lines until 9 P. M., when, knowing they were dis- 
astrously defeated, they withdrew, leaving 5,700 prisoners in 
our hands. Our loss in this gallantly fought battle will not ex- 
ceed seven hundied in killed, wounded, and missing. They 
lost Generals Cleburne, Scott, Adams, and Gordon, and seventy- 
nine held and line ofhcers, killed ; and we now hold one hun- 
dred and seventeen officers, of difl'erent grades, prisoners. Gen- 
eral Stanly, commanding our fourth corps, received a slight 
wound, and had a horse killed under him. Our loss in oflicers 
is large, considering -the number of men we lost. This was on 
account of the men being behind breastworks and the officers 
in open view. Among the officers killed are Colonel Lowry, 
107th Illinois; Captains Bissell and Staley, 128th Indiana, and 
Captain Steele, of General Cox's staff. 

December 1, 1804. — The forces engaged at Franklin yesterday 
and part of last night withdrew, and are now in position three 
miles in front of Nashville. The newly mounted one hundred 



132 HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A TOLUKTEES, 

men of our res^iment were ordered ont at 11 P. M., obtained 
sixty rounds of amunition, and moved out five miles south of 
Nashville, on the Hardin Pike, to do duty there as outposts in 
front of General Smith. 

iJecember 2. — We barricaded the road with fence rails to-day, 
the enemy being within less than five hundred yards of our 
position. 

December 3. — -Sent out fourteen men and a sergeant three 
hundred yards in front of our new position, near where a body 
of the enemy was ambushed. They attacked our men, com- 
pelling them to fall back slowly until we advanced and drove 
the attacking party through the woods. The only loss we met 
with here was the capture of one of our new men, named 
Blackstone, whom they murdered in cold blood as soon as he 
was taken. 

At 7 A. M. the enemy fired on our main outpost, but we re- 
tained our position for an hour, w^en I advanced, with ten men, 
to a vacated brick house on the left of Hardin pike, which led 
to rapid firing with but little efi"ect on either side. At 4 P. M. 
twenty-five men of the 4th Tennessee cavaliy charged two 
hundred rebels , half a mile to the left, and brought in four 
prisoners. The Nolan and Granny White })ikcs were barricaded 
to-day. At 6 P. M. we received an order from General Smith 
to move back one mile. This placed us half a mile in front of 
our artillery. 

December 4i. — The enemy planted two batteries, under Colonel 
Kelly, at Bell's mills, on the Cumberland, twelve miles below 
Nashville, under cover of which they hoped to be able to form 
pontoon bridges for their safe crossing ; but the gunboats under 
Lieutenant L. Fitch, soon destroyed this great rebel calculation 
by pouring a destructive fire into the very mouths of the rebel 
guns in the upper battery, then steaming down two miles and 
destroying the other one, Forrest's cavalry battery. Colonel 
Kelley liad sworn that lie would blow every gunboat out of the 
river to hell, whenever an opportnnity ofiered ; but lie was 
compelled to change his tnne when he came to face the " big 
guns." He has been taught a lesson by our gunboats he did 
not quite expect. Our western river gunboats have nobly earned 



HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLDNTEEa. 133 

the praises bestowed on them, being celebrated for their prompt- 
ness, skill, and bravery iu always performing the duty assigned 
them. 

We feel indignant, some of us, when we see an officer, or 
^lan^ under the inlkience of liquor, and think that any person 
indulging freely in alcoholic drinks should, if a private or non- 
commissioned officer, be placed in a guard house; and if a 
commissioned officer, be summarily, disgracefully dismissed 
the glorious United States service. 

Ordered out on the Hardin pike to examine the rebel lines, 
I did so, with twelve volunteer skirmishers, principally Cincin- 
natians, who showed their bravery by driving the rebel pickets 
into the woods. General Rucker, the noted white hoi-§eman, we 
see continually riding along his whole line, every hour during 
the day. This general left with his men, and dropped his gloves, 
with which one of my men presented me. The -ith Tennessee, 
Colonel Blackburn, charged General Bedford's brigade, next to 
liucker's, and brought in two prisoners, who report Hood sixty 
thousand strong, and Forrest's cavalry twenty thousand- Heavy 
skirmishing to-day. 

December 5. — Tlie 16th United States colored infantry, four 
hundred strong, yesterday charged a rebel breastwork on a hill 
not far from Camp Webster, captured sixty rebels, and then 
fell back to their former lines. It was discovered to-daj' that 
these same breastworks were re-occupied by Hood's men, when 
the colored troops again charged, killed nineteen, wounded 
twenty-eight men, and brought forty-three prisoners into our 
lines. This shows colored soldiers "some pumpkins" when 
under good leaders. 

Dr. Buckley's residence, on Franklin pike, was the great re- 
sort for rebel sharpshooters until it was shelled and torn down 
to-day. A shell dropped into a private residence occupied by 
females, on the Hillsboro pike, which fortunately injured none 
of the occupants. They vacated at once, however, and came 
to the city where tliey are secure. 

The 1st Ohio light artillery opened on the residence of Mr. 
-Joseph Vaux, on the Franklin pike, where theysavi^ a masse of 
rebels collected, and made that point so hot that these gallant(?) 



134: HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

rebs were glad to escape. Geuerals Cheatham and Lowry had 
a narrow escape, when the 14th and 16th colored troops made 
a reconnoisauce between the Chicken and Murfreesboro pikes. 
The colored troops were under Colonel Morgan, and were ac- 
companied by the 16th Indiana cavalry dismounted, and the 
68th Indiana infantry, Colonel Biddle. They advanced across 
a hill near the residence of Mr. F. R. Rains, drove the enemy 
from their entrenchments, and captured a lieutenant and sixteen 
men of the 5th Mississippi regiment. This was by order of 
General Steedman. 

The rebels have many sympathizers in Nashville, I am sorry 
to say. There are many Union citizens here, however, who 
stand firm for the government. Their confidence in our troops 
is implicit, and they show a deportment of exultation not wit- 
nessed in any other new Union city in the United States. They 
know what an able leader General Thomas is, and although 
Foolhardy Hood outnumbers him in forces, yet there is not a 
possibility that he can at all compare with this antagonistic 
commander. 

Decemler 6. — We are not yet relieved like other detachments 
on outpost duty. Rations and forage are scanty, on account of 
our being so far out in front. 

The rebels attacked our right wing with six pieces of artil- 
lery, at 9 A. M., without avail, as all our men stood to their 
posts without flinching. At 10 P. M. the 9th Ohio cavalry vi- 
dettes on the right, whom I commanded, saw a squadron of 
the enemy's scouts advancing through the fields, crouched on 
their horses in Indian style. Seeing one of their ofiicers raise 
his head from the side of his horse, the first vidette fired, when 
all the rest fuUowed liis example, and drove them rapidly back, 
after which our reserves came up under Captain Irwin and 
Lieutenant Cochran, and learning the extent of our success in 
this affair, they again fell back to their proper posts, leaving 
the videtts to keep a sharp lookout, which they did, like good 
soldiers. 

Beccmher 7. — xVt 5 A. M. received orders to fall in line, as a 
charge was expccetd from the gray horse rider. General Rucker. 
No charge was made, however, and we were relieved at 10 A. M. 



HUM0E0U8 ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 135 

Colonel Minor, 7tli Ohio cavalry, an able officer who commands 
Fort Webster, glories in our detachment, which has done such 
excellent outpost duty under General Smitli, on the Hardin 
pike. We were glad to obtain this relief, as our horses were 
pretty well used up and tlie men needed rest, having been on 
duty seven days and eight nights. 

Decemher "^ — Our quarters are near Major Lieper's, com- 
manding the Mississippi cavalry division, near Colonel Miner's 
headquarters. Our buglar, a humorous fellow, says in case he 
was not a blower on the bugle, he would now rank commanding 
officer of all the 9tli 0. V. C, because he has a sheep's head 
in his haversack, and "two heads are better than one," all the 
time. 

December 9. — There was a fight at Murfreesboro yesterday 
between General Milroy's United States forces, and the rebels 
under General Bates. General Milroy attacked the rebel po- 
sition, and took it after a fierce struggle. Our loss in killed and 
wounded was one hundred. The enemy's loss in killed and 
wounded was double that number. We captured nineteen com- 
missioned officers, one hundred and ninety privates, two can- 
nons, and three hundred muskets. General Milroy led the 
assault with skill, and returned to the fortifications at Murfrees- 
boro. This adds very much to (he credit of General Milroy, 
and the troops engaged in the daring chastisement they gave 
the enemy. 

December 11. — Captain Irwin is ordered to turn over the 
horses and ordnance I drew, and he has not yet receipted' to me 
for them, and yet he should be held responsible to the govern- 
ment fur all these things. 

December VI. — Five rebel soldiers were found frozen to death 
early this morning on the Hardin pike, three miles out from 
Nashville. 

December 13. — Heavy firing on the Franklin pike. A colored 
regiment skirmishing on this pike captured seventy-eight rebels 
whom they would have shot in retaliation for their cold blooded 
murders at Fort Pillow but for the interference of their white 
officers, who withheld them, and these prisoners were brought * 
safely into our lines after dark, ^j 



136 HUMOEOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

December 14. — Heavy skirmishing has been kept up all day. 
The heaviest firing was between the hours of 6 and 10 o'clock 
P.M. 

Deccmher 15. — Ordered out on the extreme left to guard the 
1st Oliio light artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Reckard, 
battery E. Drew one hundred rounds of cartridges. Marched 
at daylight to the left wing on the Lebanon pike, where all 
were in line of battle. The corps commanded by General 
Steedman was on the left, the fourth corps next, then General 
A. J. Smith's corps, the cavalry, under General Wilson, on the 
extreme right, while General Schoficld's twenty third corps was 
held in reserve. 

About 1 P. M. the order came from General Thomas to ad- 
vance, and then our whole column moved forward. When the 
advance sounded our right wing, (instead of our left, as they 
.thought,) was rapidly advancing to crush the rebel left. This 
doubled up a rebel division which had been posted near the 
I'iver to protect a battery blockading the river about two miles 
below Nashville. This battery, containing four guns, was soou 
captured by the cavalry, under General Wilson, and sent to the 
rear. This showed Hood that his idea of an attack on his right 
was illusive, and he attempted to repair his blunder, but found 
it too late. Our right gained a firm foothold on the river bank, 
the twenty-third corps took a position on the extreme right, and 
General Smith executed a half wheel, driving the rebels with 
ease, hill after hill being taken with a small k»ss of our men. 
Another diversion on the left was made to enable our men on 
the right wing to strengthen themselves in position and make 
ready for a charge. On the left of the fourth corps a strong 
line of breastworks, defended by a heavy body of rebel skir- 
mishers, was seen to by General Wood, who, riding along the 
lines, seeing everything ready, gave the command, " ForAvard !" 
Hearing this our men with alacrity quick stepped until they 
reached the breastworks; leaping over which they pushed for- 
ward until the banners of the fourth corps waved proudly over 
the captured entrenchments, yet they still moved on, without 
ordersi, nearly to the second line of rebel works, w'hen, with the 
greatest dilliculty, their advance was stayed by order of the 



HUMOROUS ADVEA^TURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 137 

commauding general. When, accorJing to orders, they did 
fall back, they brought with them seventy prisoners, which, 
with those captured in the works, made hundreds. The main 
rebel line of works w'as now in full view on a range of hills. 
They had been constructed with great care. While the men 
w^ere being again placed in position, the cavalry, under General 
Wilson, advanced until its right rested on the range of high 
lands live miles from the city, and far enough from the river 
to give it room to manouvre without difiicnlty, facing to the 
south; the corps of Generals Schoheld and Smith parallel to 
the left ; the skirmishers having advanced to the Hillsboro pike, 
and finding refuge behind a stone fence ; the fourth corps was 
foinned at right angles wdth the first division, directly across 
the Hillsboro road ; and the other divisions to the left of that 
one. 

While our lines were forming and our batteries being placed 
in position the rebels could be seen moving by the left flank 
toward the Hillsboro road, thus throwing their entire reserve 
in front of our right and center. Our commanders were not 
idle, for reinforcements equally strong were sent to these threat- 
ened points to conlront them. 

About 3 o'clock all was ready for a charge on the second 
line of works, which was very strong, as it lay on hills and we 
had to advance through open fields which afforded no protec- 
tion. No throw^ing in of a division at a time. Massing Avas 
practiced, and our irresistable columns moved forward with a 
force beyond the rebel, or any other, power to check. 

About 4 o clock the charge was made. Tlie first and second 
divisions of the fourth corps moved west, and the third division 
at right angles ; on the right of which was the corps of General 
Smith. The first and second divisions of the fourtli corps had 
the most exposed positions in the whole line, as the rebel works 
in their front were much stronger tlian elsewhere, although 
there were many very strong points along the entire Confederate 
line. 

The men moved forward steadily under a shower of grape, 
cannister, and musketry which would have been terrific but for 
the fact that we", by moving up hill, were not in one tcntli part 



138 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

of the danger we would have been had we charged across a 
level field, as the shot, in the former case, went nearly all too 
high. When within a hundred and fifty yards of the rebel 
works, the fire was terrible, but as there was no turning back, 
a shout was raised, and, our long lines closing up, all pushed 
forward. Upon reaching the works our men applied the bay- 
onet, although volley after volley met them before the open 
space was gained. After this the rebels could be seen flying 
in the wildest confusion, until they all broke, and we captured 
four 12-pound Napoleon guns and four hundred prisoners, with 
a large quantity of small arms. Some of these prisoners said 
that Hood looked upon this point as inaccessible to any number 
of men that could be brought against it, and expected an easy 
repulse to tlie Yankees. Simultaneously with this capture Gen- 
erals Schofield and Smith advanced south of the Hillsboro pike, 
and captured an entire battery, and seven hundred prisoners ; 
which made twelve hundred prisoners and eighteen cannon, 
while we did not lose three hundred in kilh^l and wounded. 
The 15th Ohio infantry, Colonel Askew, of Colonel Straight's 
brigade, captured a battery of five guns on the Granny White 
pike. 

Our gunboats shelled the rebels all day, and drove them from 
the river. The colored regiments, under General Steedman, 
charged on Rains's bluff, and utterly routed the rebel line there. 
Colonel Shafter's regiment lost nearly all its officers, killed and 
wounded. Fort Negly did excellent service, and killed and 
wounded many of Hood's men. Our 9th Ohio cavalry breast- 
works are on the Lebanon pike, directly opposite the residence 
of Mr. Taylor, an old man, formeily the close neighbor and 
friend of General Andrew Jackson. This old man is a strong 
Unionist, and told the rebel leaders so three years ago. 

" If General Jackson were living now he would hang Jeff. 
Davis higher than Haman," said this truthful old gentleman to 
a rebel olliccr. 

The 1st Ohio light artillery takes excellent aim at the rebel 
entrencliments, the bulls striking their rifle |)its every time they 
fire. We all reel ])r()iid to be aware of the fact that Ohioans 
make good soldiers wherever they are placetl, no matter how 



HDMOEOUS ADVENTUEE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 139 

dangerous a position tlicy may occupy. The rebel defeat was 
crushing to-day. 

December 16. — Hood fell back four miles last night to a 
strong position on a range of hills ; his right on a hill which 
covered Franklin pike ; his center nearly opposite an open corn 
field, through which our men would have to charge, with a 
a strong line of double breastworks, strongly defended by in- 
fantry and artillery, on his left ; leaving a space open by which 
to retreat toward Franklin, if necessary. 

About 8 A. M. our troops advanced, General Smith's corps 
on the right, covering Granny AVhite pike ; next General Wood's 
4th corps, the first division in the center, commanded by Gen- 
eral Kimball, the second division. General Elliot, on the left, 
and the third division, General Beatty, .on the right. General 
Steedman's corps was instructed to join the fourth corps. The 
tw^enty-third corps was to join the reserves near the right of 
General Smith, to be brought into use for flanking purposes. 
The cavalry was sent to Ilillsboro pike, to intercept the rebel 
retreat, and worry the enemy's flanks. The Confederate lines 
did not extend over a mile and a half, as, the ground favoring 
them, they had contracted their wings. Their wagon train was 
on the Franklin road. 

Throwing out a heavy line of skirmishers our men passed 
out beyond the Thompson place, when the rebel skirmish line 
came into full view, six miles from Nashville. Here a halt was 
ordered, and all our batteries needed were brought to the front 
and began shelling, to which military summons the enemy an- 
swered feebly, not from a lack of artillery, but to keep the po- 
sitions of their guns concealed, and to save amunition. The 
twenty-third corps moved out on the Granny White jtike, and 
remained cpiiet until secret signals were g-iven, when they were 
to move forward on the Confederates with all the vigor in their 
powc:r. 

General Steedman moved on the Murfreesboro pike until he 
was satisfied no rebel force impeded that maich, when he lialf 
wheeled his column, and moved in tlie direction of the Fiankiin 
road, to tuiti Hood's right, and form a junction with tiio lourlh 
corps. He met but little resistance until ho formed a juuetiuij> 



14:0 HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

at about half past 2 P. M., when he was confronted by Lee's 
corps, every man of which was ready to fight as long as he \ 
conld. 

While these flanking movements were in progress the first 
division of the fourth corps advanced to capture the first line 
of rebel works. This division charged through a wood, which 
was a poor shelter for assailants, over an ascent of ten degrees, 
and very strong fortifications. These gallant men moved on 
with shouts, fired a volley, fixed their bayonets, slightly halted 
when half way, J^re-loaded, fired another volley, and charged. 
There was no more halting until our men were close on to the 
'rebel works, when the storm of bullets was apalling. Our men 
halted until the rebels raised a shout of triumph, which mad- 
dened the assailants, who now rushed^up to the worlds, planted 
their standards on thera, and the flying rebels got a discharge 
fjom two of their own loaded cannons which sent man}' more 
of them to the earth never to rise again. This hot work cost 
us nearly two hundred men. 

About 3 o'clock Generals Schofield and ^teedman reported 
that they were ready, the signal was given, and the twenty- 
third corps greeted Hood's left wing with a volley which called 
out all their artillerj^ and musketry that could be brought to 
bear. One rebel battery, the 2d Maryland, which had been 
concealed not farther than three hundred yards from General 
Thomas's headquarters, was managed with cousuraate skill, but 
seeing this secrecy useless, it became publicly vigorous. There 
were four pieces in front, so placed as to play on- either Gen- 
eral Schofield's advancing columns or the headquarters of Gen- 
eral Thomas, two pieces being pointed in each direction and 
worked ra|)idly. 

General Schofield was gaining ground rapidly, when Smith's 
corps, laying at right angles, was ordered forward, and both 
corps assailed three or four batteries at once, with Cheatham's 
and Stewart's Corps supporting and bearing the brunt of Scho- 
field's and Smith's veteians. Our brave men captured every 
cannon in the hands of these rebel generals, six hundred of . 
their men, ten battle flags, and broke their center and left, be- 
fore the general pursuit began. General Steedman, on our left, 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUBE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 141 

wIuIg the above fighting was progressing^successfully charged 
Lee's corps, (the euemy's riglit,) and drove tlieni in every direc- 
tion. 

All the reserves were brought into action about- 5 P. M., a 
little- before which General Whittaker's iron brigade struck tiie 
only part of the rebel line which had not been brc^kcn yet, cap • 
turing four guns and 400 prisoners. The iron brigade is one of 
them, sure. 

After this the rebel retreat became a route, ^[any of them 
threw down their arms and surrendered. Our men pursued 
with a will, fatigued as they Avere, gatliering up prisoners by 
thousands, and pouring volley after volley into Hood's miscel- 
laneous disorderly crew, who were iiying like kites, yet very 
liable to a downfall from the swift northwestern winds pursuing 
them on a stormy errand. Generals Smith, Johnson, Eiicker, 
Jackson, and Stewart surrendered, with r.early hve thousand 
privates and five hundred and forty-one commissioned ohicers, 
of all grades, and forty-eight pieces of artillery. Our entire 
loss will not reach one thousand, while the rebel loss in killed 
alone will nearly, if not quite reach tluit number, beside their 
other losses. 

Previous to this complete route of the enemy, our cavalry, 
ten wellmonnted regiments underGeneialKnipe,passcd through 
the gaps on the Ilillsboro pike where they went to cut off the 
rebel retreat. General Hatch's cavalry division, ten regiments, 
held the passes of the hills until they licard the charge we 
made, when they moved rapidly on, captured one hundred and 
seventy-nine Tith Tennessee Confederate cavalrymen, and three 
hundred and seventeen other rebels befoie they joined General 
Knipe, near Brentwood. All our mounted cavalry, under Gen- 
eral Wilson, are now doAvn in that region to cut olf Hood's re- 
treat. 

Cheatham promised his men a sjilondld Christmas day in 
Nashville, and nearly live thousand of his men will realize his 
promise ; they will spend Christmas in Nashville — under guard 
as prisoners. 

December 17. — AVent toward Quartermaster Wilson's, but 
found the pontoon bridges were ordered away ; when, returning 



142 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

to Camp Webster, I overtook a large squad of 3''ouug darkiea 
returning to their homes on the Lebanon pike, led by an old 
negro who had been Hood winked by the rebels a few days 
since, and "now," he said, " was mity glad dat de Yanks had 
done Clieat-'em all 'bont carr'in' de poor old nigs off, in dar 
Brag-a-doo sail stvle, 'way from dis ere Nash-ional-ville city 
massa^ keah, heah, heah." 

I could not help being pleased at these dark clouds escaping" 
from slavery, and their knowledge of the thrashing we gave 
Hood's army yesterday and the day before. Our cavalry cap- 
tured two thousand seven hundred skedaddling rebels last night 
near Franklin, and sent a lot, four hundred and seventeen strong, 
who arrived here to-day, in charge of a lieutenant and sixty 
men. 

Colonel Minor sent out forty six men to tear down the bar- 
racks at Camp Webster. Saw General Rucker, wlio made 
himself so conspicious when we were on the Hardin pike by 
his riding a giay horse continually up and down his lines in 

our front. 

Let Rucker, the sucker 

Of southern dishes, 
While in the vile East awhile, . 

Just suck at our fishes; 

So 't is quite a " biz" 

For tables unvarnished 

To seem a bright beam, 
.In a kitchen that 's tarnished. 

December 18. — Raining heavily. It afi'ords a good chance to 
a retreating army who has no bridges to cross, as the pursuers 
have to be drawn up in line of liattle frec(uently, and as tlie 
roads arc almost impassible, the iields and hills give the enemy 
a facility to escape which they would not have if the weather 
only ^continued clear and sunshine prevailed. Our cavalry can 
only annoy its flanks by trotting or galloping along the roads 
in a line parallel with that followed by the hurriedly retreating 
enemy. 

Our cavalry has blockaded nearlj^ all the roads, capturing 
eleven hundred prisoners, yesterday, who would have escaped 
had they not been so sevcrtdj^ handled by our mounted men. 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUKTEEB. 143 

Hatcher's division attacked General Clialmcr's command, of 
Forrest's cavalry, yesterday, and captnred Generals Rucker, 
Johnson, and Smith, with hundreds of their officers and men 
so it is impossible to overrate the operations of onr monnted 
men. 

The direct pursnit, by General Thomas, Avas kept up until 
midnight last Friday, when our men bivouacked after cui)turin;^' 
an entire brigade of Stewart's corps. At daylight yesterday 
morning the cavalry was out, and the infantry moved forward 
through rain and mud as fast as they could under the circum- 
stances. The Johnnies are captured by scores, and droves of 
them, under guard, arrive at Nashville hourly. 

Hood some time since declared he would redeem Tennessee 
from Federal bondage. The only method he has left is to stand 
once more, dispute General Thomas's advance, and try it at 
Hollow Tree gap, near Franklin, the strongest position left his 
retreating forces in the State. 

December 20. — Rain has changed to snow, mud to ice, and 
the 9th Ohio cavalry their quarters across the Cumberland river, 
close to the dismounted 2d Tennessee cavalry. It is God's 
providence that children visiting newly vacatad cavah-y camps 
are not often killed, as some of the men may, through negli- 
gence, leave some cartridges behind them, which the children 
finding near still burning fires, throw them into the flames and 
run nearly as much danger as if they were lired at by parties 
two hundred yards distant. 

A report comes here that the rebels attacked General Rous- 
seau at Murfreesboro, last Thm-sday, and got from that gallant 
general and his forces as good a whipping as they deserved in 
making so brave an effort. 

Dccevihtr 22. — General Thomas had his headquarters at Co- 
lumbia, yesterday, following Hood, who is getting away as fast 
as he can. 

Captain Irwin received orders to rejoin General Sherman, 
and obtained transportation. 

December 23. — Stopped at a house in Nashville where I saw 
Mr. Julius Peterson, of Rochester, New York, who told me a 
story, which, if true, condemns all parties concerned, except 



144 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUEES OF A TOLUNTEEB. 

the sergeant ayplied to. Brigadier General G u, New York 

State Militia, offered a sergeant in his brigade a pass of south- 
ern Jetr. Davis's certain manufacture, and five hundred dollars, 
if he would act as a spy for Jeff. Davis. The raan this pro- 
posal was made to is Richard Booth, orderly sergeant of Cap- 
tain Brewer's company, 12th New York State JNIilitia, who is 
from Syracuse, and enlisted for three months. This general is 
said to have ])resented his revolver at the head of his pretended 
partner in California, and by this means forced a settlement in 
his own favor. Such a follow deserves hanging or a similar 
punishment, if all this is true. 

Decemher 2-i. — Started on the Louisville and Nashville rail- 
road for Louisville at 5 o'clock A. M., and stopped at Bowling 
Green, as General Lyon destroyed the railroad bridge near 
Sonora, ten miles from Elilzabethtown, Kentucky, and, this de- 
tained all trains on the road, whether they were going north or 
south. 

December 25. — Bowling Green is "one of them," in regard to 
different opinions about war or peace. Here are secesh and 
Union men and women, good q.nd bad. Among the latter class 
is a peranibulat'ug lady, who carries thirty bottles of whisky 
between her dross and crinoline equipment, which dress has 
thirty holes made secretly in it, in order to make it easy to get 
at the aforesaid whisky. Any soldier slie meets who wishes to 
purchase one of the bottles with its contents does so. She 
sells ra})idly, and makes lai-ge profits, as she has never been 
caught in this act against military law, which reads as fol- 
lows : 

" No soldier is allowed to buy or sell whisky in any sluipe, 
and if any soldier is caught in this act he will receive a well 
merited punishment." 

Deceinher 26. — There was some fighting, yestetda}^, near 
Elizabethtown, between Lyon's rebel forces and General Mc- 
Cook's men, whicii resulted in a heavy loss to Lyon and caused 
a quick retreat. A rebel mnjor, one captain, one lieutenant, 
and seventy men of Lyon's force were capturedby sixty of the 
Mumfordsville cavalry guards, and were brought in here to- 
day. 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUBE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 145 

Tills morning while waiting for breakfast, with several others, 
at the Depot Tavern, a tall, well dressed man, named Mr. Mc- 
Cullough entered the apartment, saying : 

"Good morning, gentlemen ; the bad weather seems chano"- 
ing for the better this Christmas day, which many of ns, who 
are near home, are glad to see." 

" Yes, yes ; no doubt some of us seem exalted over more 
changes than the weather," answered an old Kentucky gentle- 
man passenger, with acrimony, which brought our e3^es on the 
parties speaking. The result of this little cross firing was the 
exit of Mr. McCullough, who opened the front door and walked 
out, after which the old gentleman said: 

" I thought so at first. Tiiis man is a butternut, and I cracked 
a shell near him to let him know my feelings about eatables in 
war times. That dodger is a spy, or I am no judge of human 
nature." 

Being the only officer present I could not hear this without 
seeing what my duty was, so I followed Mr. McCnllough, ar- 
rested him, and made him prove who and what he was. He 
soon did this by immediately obtaining military and civil evi- 
dence of his true Unionism. 

December 27. — Laid over last night at Bacon creek station, 
fifteen miles from Murfreesboro. Crossed the burned bridge at 
9 A. M., where one hundred and ninety of pur men were cap- 
tured last Friday. Arrived at Louisville, Kentucky, at 5 o'clock 
P.M. 

Decemhe.r 28. — Obtained transportation to New York via 
Cincinnati. 

December 29. — Arrived in Cincinnati at 4 A. M, 

Jinuary 1, 1865. — Spent a happy New Year at home in Cin- 
cinnati. How I wish all our noble men could enjoy such a 
treat, but this can not be while war lasts. 

January 2. — Started with ten men on the Little Miami rail- 
road at 4 o'clock P. M. Arrived at Columbus, Ohio, during the 
night. 

January 3. — Saw Captain White, acting assisstant adjutant 
general at the capitol building, one of the most reliable gentle- 
nien I have had the good fortune to become sliglitly acquainted 
10 



146 HUMOROUS ADYENTUEES OF A TOLUNTEEK. 

with. Left Columbus at 2:10 P. M., and reached New York 
city 

Janurry 5. — Got transportation to Hilton Head on the steam 
ship Fulton. 

January 9. — Departed at 4 o'clock P. M. for Hilton Head 
South Carolina. 

January 10. — There is twelve hundred men' and forty-three 
officers on this vessel, including Brigadier General Vancleveer, 
formerly Colonel of the 9th Iowa, and Brigadier General Hanon, 
of Indiana. These are both good commanders, kind to all the 
men, and humane in every sense of the word. The- 9th O. "V". 
C. has one hundred and forty-three men outboard. We have 
several bounty-jumpers here whose stealing proclivities lead 
all men to despise them as they ought to do. Heavy seas pre-- 
vail to-day and cause considerable sea-sickness. 

January 11. — Raining at sea keeps the boisterous waves 
from covering the ship. We have a three masted schooner in 
tow, which makes the Fulton run much slower than usual as 
she is noted for her speed. The sun came out at 10 o'clock A. 
M., which reminded some of us of Shakspeare when he placed 
the following words in the mouth of Kichard III. 

" Now is the winter of our discontent, 

Made glorious summer by this son of York, 
And all the clouds that hover o'er our house, - 
Are in the deep bosom of the ocean buried." 

The ignorance of many of us on board on naval affairs is 
clearly shown in the following true story: 

The ship's bell had just struck wlicn a sailor near a crowd of 
soldiers called out, "six bells, mon," whereupon a certain gent 
near him said, " Hello ! is there Belles on board here ? I didn't 
know thai before ! I thought ladies didn't go to sea at this 
time of year. They are intimate friends of sailors alone. Say, 
sailor, aint that so? If not I should like an immediate intro- 
duction to them. Cant I, sailor?" The sailor addressed here 
answered, " Why, sir, the bells are intimate acquaintances of 
sailors, as you say; but, to obtain an introduction I advise you 
to go forward to the Mate, tell him so and he will introduce 
you in a straight forward manner, and keep you strictly attached 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 117 

to each other until we reach our port." Loud hiughtcr ensued 
after this conversation terminated, and Jack, the sailor, moved 
off with a big supply of new quids of tobacco to freshen his 
appetite. 

Janxiary VI. — A Major and Surgeon had quite a beneficial 
conversation this evening in the cabin about poor deluded 
females being led astray by smooth-tongued fellows, who cause 
more trouble and sorrow in families than any other class of 
men. " Fathers," said the Major, " who have daughters should 
see that tlicy associate with no other persons than those who 
are well known, respectable gentlemen ; who move in good 
society, not because they are wealth}^, but, because thej- are 
known to be high minded men of moral worth. These men 
are of the right stripe, and if no introductions were made of 
any others then illicit intercourse between the male and female 
sex would be ended forever. This now prevails to a horrid 
extent among tlie codfish aristocracy; and, unfortunately, poor 
people are often led astray by belief in the sayings and doings 
of these very suddenly-made rich-by-spcculation-pcople." 

These sayings were correct to a great extent, and proved the 
Major an intellectual, moral minded man, whom all should 
respect. 

January 13. — Got to Hilton Head at 1 o'clock P. M., and 
were immediately transferred t© a tug which carried us to Fort 
Thunderbolt four miles from Savannah, in four hours. On our 
way we met three steamships loaded with troops for Beaufort, 
S. 0. Got into Savannah river were rice fields occup}^ each 
bank for miles. Fort Thunderbolt is a vciy ju-oper name for 
the place v.'e landed, as it is a thundering locality for oysters.^ 
the men living Avell on bivalves, which they can obtain in largo 
numbers when the tide ebbs. 

January 11. — AA"e have just heard of some more of Wheeler's 
rascally operations — nothing less must be expected of them, 
however. He, the vaunted rebel general, made his prisoners 
(few in number) dig their own graves, so that his own pup])ies 
will have no more trouble after their cold-blooded murder than 
covering up his victims with loose earth. 

Arrived at Savannah, four miles fiom Fort Thuuderbolt, and 



148 HUMOKOUS ADVENTDKES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

there I saw our cavalry hero, Gen. Kilpatrick,-who immediately 
obtained a railroad train and had us taken out to his head- 
quarters, from which we walked four miles to our regiment, on 
the King's bridge road nine miles from Savannah, where we 
arrived at 6 o'clock P. M. 

January 15. — Found my old regiment, the 5th O. V. C, two 
hundred yards from the 9th 0. V. C, and saw Pat Dignan, 
Teddy Saunders, Mike Conelly, Sam. Howell, First Lieutenant 
Overturf, and hospital steward Smiley, who had all becoiiie_ 
veterans. Pat sent a handsome present to my soldier boy 
Johnny. Saw Colonel Hamilton, commanding the 9tli 0. V. 
C, and found what had been told me at Columbus was true. 
This reminded me ol a dreamish thought 1 had there which 
proved correct. It was seemingly between two individuals, 
one of whom was nearly always in the front, and the other, 
■promoted one^ was scarcely, if ever, there. 

There's a lieutenant here, 
A shrewd one I think. 

Whose want of promotion arises from drink. 
From drink, sir, didst say? Then surely such means 
Eeminds me of strictness of age over teens. 
Display then no anger o'er juniors, to-day, 
They 've grown from green grass, sir, to newly mown hay. 
Let wisdom preside near by Mars in a gale. 
The ship which is safest is undej close sail. 
Remember, Lieutenant, bye players at cards. 
Can lead hands well trumped, sir, by hundreds of yards. 
And now I '11 no more, so farewell, sir, till time 
Improves us in person, in prose, and in rhyme. 

JTeard a strong lecture by the Rev. Mr. Clark, Chaplain of 
the 10th O. V. C, spoken near headquarters of the 9l^d Illinois 
Infantry, which regiment is with the 9tli and 5th O. V. C. in 
the third brigade, third cavalry corps, under Gen. Kilpatrick. 
This Chaplain was a prisoner for five months at Anderson ville, 
Ga., under the stars and bars, viz: Confederate flag. 

I have now been in the cavalry service since Sept. 17, 1861, 
and never saw stronger breastworks than the rebels built near 
Savannah on the King's bridge road previous to their evacua- 
tion of that city. Saw a large lot of poles rolled into hoops, 
six feet long, two hundred yards south of the works above men- 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 149 

tioned works. These hoops were strongly braced by inter- 
mixing- them, and they were rolled on towards the breastworks 
by Gen. Sherman's men, until Messieurs Chivalreaux evacuated 
their strong premises at night, and took to hoop-rolling them- 
selv.es by good running. They even left their cannon service- 
able es they rapidly departed, to avoid Yankee fighting pro- 
clivities. Here they thought truly of Solomon's saying: "Much 
stud}' is a weariness to the flesh." 

^'January 17. — Mr. Collins (not Wilkie) gave us a humorous 
war speech, which kept his hearers in laughter while he de- 
livered this " laugh and grow fat " oiatoin. After telling his 
happy escape from rebeldom, his treatment and that of others 
there, near him, he spoke of some people at home and said : 
"Copperheads, like river ducks, go down openly, but it is 
impossible to tell where or when they will raise to view again. 
See the Vallandighamites ! what do look like ? I can tell you. 
They seem to me like the buzzards that flock around the car- 
cass pulling away -until gorged, and are never satisfied, and as 
" birds of a feather flock together," they are known by the 
company they keep. 

" Cyrus was beloved, because he himself had a love for 
others: for, has a man any friends, or does he deserve to have 
any, when he himself is void of friendship?" 

'• Consilii quainvis egregii quod ipse non aff'errett inimicusP 

After several other humorous stories he gravely related the 
hardships he underwent in the rebel prison for months after 
his capture at Dalton, Ga., and how Southern women seemed 
alarmed at some, so called, Yankee proceedings in Dixie. He 
said: 

"A M'oman living near Atlanta, before we took it, had a 
handsome daughter of 'sweet sixteen,' whom we often heard 
saying: 

"'Oh, ma, when are the Yankees coming to ravish us all? 
We hear of their coming nearer here every day, and all of us 
girls are waiting impatiently to know all about it, and find out if 
tiie Yanlgccs really will dp as much badness to us as people say 
they will.' " 

Here this gentleman finished amid loud laughter, by saying 



150 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEB. 

he had written a book which contained more hiughable incidents 
than he had here related, and, having a number of them close 
at hand, if any of his hearers desired to purchase the book, 
all they would be expected to do would be to pay $1 20 for 
it. ^ 

January 17. — Heard this evening of the capture' of^ I'ort 
Fisher, on the 15th inst., by General Terry's force, assisted by 
Admiral Porter's fleet. The assault was led by General Ames's 
division, and the second brigade of the lirst division of the 
twenty fourth army corps. General Ourtis's first brigade of 
Ames's division efiected the first lodgement on the parapet, and 
had full possession at 10 P.M., after the severest lighting under 
disadvantages of j)Osition that would make lookers on consider 
this one of the most heroic achievements this great war has 
yet broug-lit into view. Federal Point is also captured and is 
now in the hands of the brave soldiers of the United States. 
General Terry captured the rebel Generals Whiting and Lamb, 
two thousand Wvq hundred prisoners, and seventy-two guns. 
How tlie rebels can stand all tiie whiijpiugs we have given them 
I can not see, indeed. 

Again saw Colonel Hamilton, who again spoke of some tales 
le had heard of my easy way with my company, and their 
abusive language in my absence. I immediately tendered ray 
resignation. As a matter of course I said no more, but thought: 
"^ quoi cela sert-iW 

January 19. — Sorrow clouds ray brow continually as I think 
day and night of my tendered resignation. I have been easy 
with my men I admit; yet not too easy,'because a better fight- 
ing or more obedient company than my "Cincinnati bummers" 
I never saw 3^et as long as 1 have been in tiie service. When 
any chaugcrous detached service is ordered, G company is oftener 
called on than anj^ other conipan}'- in this regiment. I like my 
men too well to part, and I would not do so under any other 
circumstances if 1 could avoid it. Preparations are making to 
move by order of General Sherman. Lucky are all men who 
arc under this general, for he is one of the most gifted, well 
beloved, model generals of this age. May he ever lead his 
men to glorious victories and soon end this execrable war, I 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUNTEEK. 151 

liiimbl}' pray my Heavenly Father. The capture of Fort Fisher 
makes Wihnington ours, and places blockade runners all in a 
small box, leaving foreign and native speculators ashore instead 
of afloat. 

January 20. — liained all night, and considering the swampy 
nature of the ground, and muddy state of all the roads near 
here, it will be impossible to move our forces for a few days to 
come. 

January 21. — Went to Savannah, and found the roads in 

very bad order, yet the twentieth corps is now moving. Some 

more of my Cincinnati recruits have arrived here, which shows 

that Cincinnati " bummers" are on hand as soon as others, when 

^needed. 

Met several old and young, male and female refugees on my 
way to camp, who all seemed very need}^, 3xt joyful at their 
fortunes in being once more under the stars and stripes, in 
Union hands. 

Obtained my resignation papers to-day, and leave my men 
to-morrow with profound regret. I love my good soldierly 
buys too well -to part with them easily ; and, also, ray country's 
service I adore to such a degree that I am determined to enter 
the cavalry again as a private, in an Ohio regiment, whenever 
an opportunity offers itself after I get to Cincinnati. 

January '^'i. — Bade all my men farewell; told them I had 
resigned, and they expresed their sorrow, not only in words, 
but in compelling me to accept remembrance gifts in Confed- 
erate notes, Planters' bank of Savannah checks, a captured 
double barreled gun, a southern officer's sabre, and various 
other things I felt compelled through my feelings to accept 
with heartfelt thanks. Farewell, my boys; may God reward 
you wherever you are. May you always prove yourselves 
worthy the consideration of your native State, and receive the 
Mud treatment of the officers appointed over you as you de- 
serve. 

Here I give the names of my best living members of com- 
pany G, 9th Ohio cavalry: 

Orderly Sergeant D. Kennedy. ^' 

Privates. — Austin ,E. Wight, T. Croniu, John Curliss, J. P. 



152 HUMOEOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

Barrington, G. W. Davis, W. Traxe]],J. A. Mfice, J. Kiitter, 
H. Stall], M. Baker, Frank Goodwin, Thomas Ilurtt, J. W. F. 
Johnson, F. Flarfi', and Adolph St. Clair. 

I hope they will never quit the service until their time ex- 
pires, although, against my own desire, I have resigned. T"a- 
t-il rien de si atnerl 

January 23. — Left Savannah at 1 P. M., on the short screw 
steamship Perrit, for New York ciry. There were seventeen 
steamships, six river steamers, and thirty-seven sea vessels lying 
at Savannah wharf w^iien we left. The river here reminds one 
of the Mississippi, the color of the water looking alike, and 
its width generally about the same. Fort Jackson, three miles 
below Savannah, is on the right bank, and must be a strong- 
place. It has now twenty guns, and is held by Union forces. 
The river is blocked below here, and torpedoes were s© placed 
that unless all these obstacles were removed not even a well 
laden skifl' could pass with safety. These obstructions being 
all taken away now, it is easy for vessels of ail sizes to pass 
unmolested. 

January 24. — A heavy wind blows N, W. to-day, and causes 
this short ship to tumble from side to side like a heavily rocked 
cradle, and fore and aft also, like a kangaroo running on a wide 
plain. 

A handsome young lady, placed in care of a resigned major, 
is on board going to New York. Her mother, Mrs. Meeker is 
at Athens, Georgia, staying there until her daughter. Miss Ro- 
salia, gets safely to her family home in New York city. Miss 
Rosalia is a young lady of talent. She speaks grammatically, 
and is well posted in many things which have transpired at 
home and abroad for several years. This young Ij^dy is a strong 
Unionist, which we are all glad to know, as she is worthy of a 
" Union" with any gentleman wearing stars on his shoulders. 

" This is a queen by full and free cotisent; 
Firm, self-reliant, haughty if slie please. 
Among her compeers moving with such ease 
That nameless grace to every step seems lent." 

IIow monotonous a sea voyage sometimes is to homesick 



HUM0E0U3 Adventures of a volunteer. 153 

persons on board a slow moving vessel. " Nothing to view but 
sea and sky." No one must think my loneliness is brought 
about by Miss Rosalia being confiened to her stateroom by mat 
de mere or stomachic sea sickness. O, nro. I am a married 
man and can not lovingly think of any other lady while apart 
from my own wife. 

January 25. — We are now in the Gulf Stream, under a strong 
north wind, and now this vessel adds large supplies to her roll- 
ing stock capacity, and seems the most obedient vassal the 
wind and waves possess, as she turns to shownearly every part 
of her body alternately to each, and never fails to show her 
exhibitions of obedience on both sides when other vessels are 
non-obeying in that style. A supercargo on -board this ship 
says he has made fifty voyages on both steam and sailing ves- 
sels, and he never experienced such rolling at sea as he now 
does on board the Perrit. 

Left the Gulf Stream to-day at 1 P. M. Any person observ- 
ing the vapor arising from this Gulf Stream alone, and none 
from the part we have just entered, will think it very strange, 
as the Gulf Stream, now one mile off from us, looks like a sea 
covered with ice. The cause of this is a fog arises from the 
Gulf Stream because it is warmer than the temperature of the 
air, and all the other parts of the Atlantic Ocean that are near 
it. 

This scene makes an impression on some miuds that will not 
soon be obliterated. 

January -6. — Change of wind again. It is now blowing a 
northeast gale, which is against us. JMet the steamships Illi- 
nois and Fulton ; the latter bound for Hilton Head, the former 
for New York. Miss Rosalia is up this morning ; health re- 
turning like bloom to roses in early spring. Wishing to borrow 
something to read. Captain Delanay, commander of thePeriit, 
obtained a book for her. This captain is a thoroughbred gen- 
tleman, and is worthy of all praise on shore as well as at sea. 
He was telling us passengers in the cabin, to-night, how he 
used to go to Sunday school when he was a boy, and often to 
camp meetings. At one of these camp meetings, a large num- 
ber of pretty girls being there, a parson present sceiug them, 



154 HUMOEOUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUNTEEfi. 

said smilingly, and with a great degree of wliat the captain 
called worldliness : 

" Here men are pure angels, worship them like this ;" and he 
kissed one of these, girls saying : " Here, Miss, is yom- pres- 
ent." 

After this the parson mounted the rostrum, said a prayer, and 
then commenced a sermon, which having ended, he gruffly 
said : 

"Hearers, there is a d — d, double jointed, unmistakal}^ mis- 
erable hypocrite as ever laid a prayer before his Maker, now 
near you all here, who used to take up the cross at revivals be- 
cause he was paid $1,800 a year for his telegraph wires from 
Norfolk to hellto bespeak the devil's aid in his exhortations. 
One Sunday his church being crowded, when I entered to hear 
this reverend parson, I had not room to sit down. So standing 
awhile, and listening in a place close to the pulpit, the parson, 
gazing at me two or three times, with an over excited will ex- 
claimed : 

" 'Here is one devil from hell who thinks his breeches are so 
very clean that he is afraid his master in the hot furnace below 
will completely clean him out if he only attempts to dirty them 
by kneeling before his great Maker.' 

" Hearing this plainlj^, and seeing many an cj'e cast toward 
me, I left the church amid the loud titters of the congregation, 
thinking mj'self like one of the convulsionists of St. Medard, 
who just had heavy blows performed upon his physical system 
by an assistant who employed blunt or rounded weapons, which 
can not compare, in regard to danger, with thongs, switches, 
etc." 

January 27. — Reached Highland Lights at 10 A. M. and 
New York city at 5 P. M. 

Vihruary 1. — Arrived at my home in Cincinnati, at 1:2 M. 

luhmaiy 7. — Gave my papers to Metzger, Striblen & Co., to 
collect my pay from government, with a full determination to 
enter the cavalry service again as soon as my vouchers and 
certificates, sent to Washington city, clear me of all indebted- 
ness to the government, and leave me free once more to act for 
myself. ^ 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A'TOLUNTEER. 155 

t 

March 20, 1S65. — Saw Pat Dignan, of H company, 5tli Ohio 
cavalry, who informs me that he was captured near Edisto 
riv.er, tha27th of February, three weeks after Lieutenant Grif- 
fin, chief of Kilpatrick's scouts," was killed near Wallesboro, 
South Carolina, after capturing that place and driving Wade 
Hampton's cavalry company of eighty men through a pine 
woods before them. Lieutenant Griffin was an able man, deeply 
regretted, and was carried into camp and buried with the hon- 
ors of war. His sudden death was deeply felt by the entire 
command, as they all knew him to be one of the bravest and 
best scout leaders with the whole western army. Three of the 
enemy were killed, six wounded, and twenty captured in the 
skirmish previous to the mortal wound received by Lieutenant 
Griffin. 

I also saw two men of mine, named James P. Barrington 
and J. McDonald, who were captured last February, near Sis- 
ter's Ferry, South Carolina. Barrington and Corporal Wight, 
of G compan}'', and four other men, were taken prisoners at the 
same time, by Captain Masdon, of the 53d Alabama, and they 
were brought through the Avoods by this execrable Masdon's 
company of rebels, until secure from sight, as they thought, 
Masdon ordered Wight to dismount, but only giving this order 
from pretense, the scoundrel shot Wight through the kead, 
killing him instantly, then searched the dead man's pockets, 
mounted his horse, and ordered his men to put any Yankee 
prisoner to immediate death if he uttered one word against 
Confederate principles, or showed a sign of escaping movements 
•while on the march. This grand rebel feat of chivalry occurred 
eleven miles south of Sister's ferry. Such a villain as Masdon 
murdering in cold blood so able a. soldier as Austin E. Wight, 
for no reason whatever, deserves to die the death of a mad dog 
wherever met. 

Corporal. Wig^it should have been first duty sergeant of G 
company long since, and would have been so, had I the au- 
thority to raise him in rank, six months ago. Like Trollope 
contributing to the literature of England by familiarizing the 
Anglo-Saxon mind with the genius and aspirations of Italy, 
Wight contributed to the knowledge of cavalry soldiers by 



156 HUMOROUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

layinf;: clown the duties and needed principles of obedience to 
orders and knowledge of cavalry tactics. May he rest in 
peace. 

April 2, 1865. — In addition to my humble diary, I hereafter 
add the true statements of reliable correspondents concerning 
what transpired in the western army after my resignation at 
Savannah. 

A Goldsboro correspondent nnder date of March -25, 1S65, 
says : 

" The rebels have about twelve thousand cavalrymen, under 
Wheeler and Hampton, in our front. Yesterday they hanged 
three of our foragers within less than tAvo miles of our out- 
posrs. 

" Kilpatrich engaged part of this force yesterday, but the re- 
sult is not known." 

The Herald's correspondent- gives full details of the battle of 
Bentonville : 

"Our line, at 2 P. M., was two miles long. During the day 
the enemy made five grand attempts to pierce this line, at dif- 
ferent points. 

" The first attempt was made upon the point held by Cogges- 
*^ well's brigade, and Hardee and Hoke led the charge. The 
reblels moved forward gallantly, firing but little, as if determ- 
ined to crush our line by mere weight. They were received 
with a furious fire, but bowed their heads and came on, and 
penetrated between Cogge^well and Mitchell, and got to the 
rear of General Mitchell's brigade, but neither of them gave 
way. 

"The fighting was terrific. Mitchell put his brigade in the 
form of a parallelogram, fighting on all sides. Coggeswell's 
men lay in the water, firing on the rebels whenever they could 
be seen. The enemy passed around Mitchell, and struck Van- 
dorvecr's and Fearing's brigades in the rear, pressing them so 
hard they were compelled to jump their breastworks to repel 
the assault." 

Another correspondent under date of Newborn, N. C, March 
28, says: 

"Sherman's armies are now taking a brief repose. They are 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 157 

mucli in need of clothing, shoes, and other necessaries prior 
to striking the finishing blow to the rebelion and the Confeder- 
acy. 

"Another batch of five hundred Confederate prisoners arrived 
here from Goldsboro on Sunday, nearly all of whom desire to 
take the oath. 

"Sherman's men v/ent into camp here with an abundance of 
fresh pork,sweet potatoes,'etc., which they had confiscated freely 
along the route." 

INTERVIEW BETWEEN GENERALS KILPATRICK AND WHEELER. 

" Nothing of interest occurred until the 27th instant, save 
crossing the north fork of the Edisto river and the Salnda river. 
On that day, owing to the many reports concerning the capture 
and murder of men belonging to his command, General Kil 
patrick arranged for an interview witli General Wheeler, at 
Lancaster, in regard to an order from General Sherman that 
prisoners in our possession should be shot in retalliation for 
the murder of our men by Wheeler. 

" This answered a double purpose : first, giving an opportu- 
nity for a more perfect understanding relative to the alleged 
atrocities; and, second, causing the enemy to believe ouripoint 
of attack to be Charleston. 

"The interview was very pleasant, considering the circum- 
stances, and had the desired efiect. Wheeler positively asserted 
his total ignorance of cold blooded 'atrocities, and he scarcely 
believed any organization under his command would be guilty 
of such henious ofienses, and would endeavor to learn if there 
was any truth in it. 

"Owing to the bad condition of the roads, the command did 
not move until about noon. 

"General Atkins, on the right, while preparing, was attacked 
by the enemy in considerable force. The attack spread to the 
first brigade, Colonel Jtaxlan, and for a time it was liardlj known 
what was the real intention of tlie enemy. It turned out, how- 
ever, to be a mere feint or feeling of our lines, in order to find 
Kilpatrick's true position. They drew off without making any 
further demonstrations." 



158 HUMOKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

CATALRT BATTLE NEAR FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. 

"Nothing of importance occurred from this point save the 
grand advance of our army upon Fayetteville, in which oc- 
curred one of the most stubbornl}?- contested battles of the war, 
and in which tw'o brigades of our cavahy held, and finally drove 
from their camp in confusion, Wade Hampton's entire cavalry 
corps. 

It was discovered on the 9th instant, that Hardee was making 
forced marches to reach Fayetteville in advance of the infantry 
of General Sherman. General Kilpatrick at once put his col- 
umn in motion to strike Hardee in flank, or intercept Wade 
Hampton, who was following in tlie rear with his cavalry. 
General Kilpatrick reached Coleman's grove just after Hardee's 
rear had passed. General Wade Hampton was a few hours 
behind. 

"Our cavalry had not all come up yet, owing to the bad 
state of the roads ; Colonel Spencer's brigade, and Colonel 
Way's command, were at once placed in position and waited 
the attack of the rebel cavaliy. Just before daybreak on tlie 
morning of the 10th instant, and before the brigades of Colo- 
nel Aridns Colonel Jordon had arrived, Hampton came in front 
of Kilpatrick's position and massed his troops, consisting of 
three divisions, under Hume, Allen, and Butler. The attack 
was made in three columns. Wheeler led the right, Hampton 
the center, and Butler the left, and was perfectly irresistable. 
Kilpatrick's first line, under Lieutenant Colonel Way, was act- 
ually ridden over, headquarters and artillery captured, and at 
one time, the entire camp, including the entire staff, and Colo- 
nel Spencer, commanding the third brigade, were in the pos- 
session of the enemy. But General Kilpatrick made his escape? 
joined the brigade of Colonel Spencer, which was falling back 
on foot, stubbornly disputing every inch of ground. A large 
portion of the enemy halted in and about the camp, for a mo- 
ment, to plunder. This was fatal to him. Little Kilpatrick's 
brave cavalrymen rallied under the leadership of their tried 
commander, retook the hills upon the left, and then, with one 
wild shout, swept down upon the rebels, M'ho were swarming 



HUM0K0U8 ADVENTURES OF A VOLrNTEER. 159 

about the captured artillery and Kilpatricks former headquar- 
ters. 

" In a moment the artillery was in their possession and turned 
upon the enemy. At this moment the general's red battle flag-, 
recaptured from the enemy, floated out in presence of friend 
and foe. The men were now perfectly wild with excitement, 
and when their commander rode along the line and shouted to 
them that the day was theirs, they could not be restrained, but 
dashed forward, drove the enemy from every quarter, and 
eventually from the held. Our total loss did not exceed one 
hundred. 

"The enemy left upon the field a large number of ofBcers, 
and seventy six soldiers, dead, besides many wounded, and at 
the lowest estimate could not have lost less than six hundred 
killed and wounded. The whole affair was brilliant, and reflects 
credit on the cavalry, and adds yet another laurel to the many 
won by them since leaving the hills of Georgia."' 

PRESIDENT LINCOLN ON THE MILITARY SITUATION. 

Some western friends of the President were recently talking 
with him about Sherman's grand march. The conversation 
turned upon the danger which Sherman's troops would encoun- 
ter from the rebels M-hen the}' approached near enough to 
Richmond to enable Lee suddenly to reinforce Johnston. One 
of the interlocutors said : 

" Mr. Lincoln, as Sherman's army advances the rebel forces 
necessaiily concentrate and increase in numbers. Before long 
Sherman will drive the columns of Johnston, Bragg, Hoke, and 
others, within a few day's march of Lee's main army. May not 
Lee suddenly march south with the larger portion of his arm}', 
form a junction with Johnston's troops, and before Grant can 
follow any considerable distance, strike Sherman's column with 
a superior force, cut his lines, defeat his aimy, drive its frag- 
ments toward the coast, and, with his whole army, give battle 
to Grant, and perhaps defeat him?"' 

"And perhaps not," replied the T*resid*ntJ " Napoleon tried 
the same game on the British and Prussians in 1815. He con 
centrated his forces, fell suddenly on Bluchcr, and won an in- 



k 



IGO HUMOROUS ADVENTUSE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 

decisive victory. He then whirled around, attacked tlie British, 
and met his Waterloo. Bonaparte was hardly inferior to Lee in 
military talent or experience. But are you sure that Lee's 
forces united with Johnston's could heat Sherman's army? 
Cuuld he p;ain his Ligney before meeting his Waterloo? I tell 
you, gentlemen, there is a heap of fight in a hundred thousand 
western veterans. They are a good deal like old Zach Taylor 
at Buena Vista — they do'nt know when they are whipped." 

We partake of the President's faith, and with liin\ believe 
there is a heap of fight in a hundred thousand western veter- 
ans. 

LINCOLN ON THE BATTLE FIELD. 

We learn from an officer just arrived from the front, tliat on 
Saturday, shortly after the battle commenced, w^hich resulted so 
glorionsly for the Union arms in front of Petersburg, President 
Lincoln, accompanied by General Grant and stafl', started for 
the battle field, and reached there in time to witness the close 
of the contest, and the bringing in of prisoners. His presence 
recognized created intense enthusiasm. He rode over the field, 
listened to the report to General Grant of General Parke, of, 
the ninth corps, and added his thanks to this gallant general 
for the great service he had rendered in staying the fierce on-; 
slaught of the rebels, and capturing so many of their number." 

EULOGY ON SHERMAN. 

The Opinione Aaiiotiulc^ Paris, Prince Napoleon's organ, 
eulogizes General Sherman's operations and tactics in the high- 
est terms, and accuses the rebels of having fired Charleston. It 
adds : 

"They never have been anything but rebels against a just 
government, having for their watchword, 'slavery.'" 

That is exactly true. 

BATTLE OF BENTONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. 

The Tribune's Goldaboro correspondent gives the following 
account of the movements of those gallant officers, Sherman 
and Schofield: 



HUMOBOUa ADVElsTTUSEa OF. A yOJLUNTEEB,, l&V 

■ General Cox advanced from Kingston toward Goldsboro on 
Sunday morning. The remainder of the corps followed oQ; 
Monday morning. The enemy had already fallen back, leaving 
the road clear, but destroying bridges and culverts. A body 
of the enemy's cavalry disputed our advance. On Sunday 
communicatiun was opened with Sherman. General Scholield 
sent Captain Twining, with an escort, who succeeded in reaching 
his headquarters. Meantime Sherman's scouts arrived at 
Schofield's headquarters, bringing word tliat his advance waa- 
within fifteen miles of Smithfield. Sherman had encountered, 
but slight opposition, Hamptou's and Wheeler's cavalry, occai 
sionally trying to check his advance. ., ,i 

"On Sunday afternoon the enemy made a stand about fifteen' 
miles southeast from Smithfield, wliere a line of strongly in- 
trenched fieldworks had beeff thrown up, and, with batteries in 
position, opened upoa General Sherman. The twentieth corps, 
forming the center, was first engaged; the fourteenth corps, 
constituting the right, and the seventeenth corps, the left, were 
advanced and a brisk engagement followed, in which, although 
the rebel army was heavily engaged, our own loss was quite 
small. ., 

" Meantime General Scholield pushed forward rapidly. The 
advance of General Sherman on the enemy's right, in the 
direction of Smithfield and Raleigh, made it necessary for the 
enemy to fall rapidly back to cover. At these points General, 
Schofield continued to press them throughout Alouday, and on 
Tuesday he entered Goldsboro. On Tuesday General Sherman 
advanced again, and skirmished with the rebel rear guard until 
reaching. Beutonvillc. Here^.tl^.e enemy had .|ntr^nched,,tbe 
other side of Mill creek. ,. ,-j 

"The twentieth corps was the first engaged.. At noon a sharp, 
battle was progressing along the whole line«-j [,.[r,.To;) y. \'ff 

" Kilpatrick's cavalry was actively occupied on the left ilank.^ 
The twentieth corps suffered a temppravy check, but the fou^r-^ 
teenth corps, coming up ip ,gQ9^.time, Ue.U the ground. Tlj^^ 
seventeenth corps was advanced to the support of the four- 
teenth and twentieth corps, and succeeded in turning tlie rigbt;,^ 
of the enemy, cpmpellipg him to gi:^o way. Th(S eovmy alan- 
11 



162 HUMOEOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEfi.' 

doned his works, passed through Smithfield, retiring toward 
Raleigh. Sherman followed up the retreating army, and entered 
Smithfield without further opposition. Sherman's cavalry was 
in Troy, North Carolina, a few days since, and one wing of his 
army was moving on Fayettevillc, one on Goldsboro, and the 
other on Raleigh. Yesterday afternoon the mayor of Kinston 
surrendered the city to our forces. 

"The bridge being burned prevented our forces from cross- 
ing, but pontoons were soon sent up for that purpose. The 
enemy retreated rapidly from Kinston to Goldsboro. A report 
states Sherman to be in possession of Goldsboro. The enemy 
left seven hundred of their dead on the field before crossing 
the river. 

A BULL FROM GENEEAL LEE. 

In his report of Hampton's alleged victory of the 10th of 
March, 18G5, General Lee sa3'8 : ''^ '-.'"•' 

'■'General Hampton attacked General Kilpatrick this morning 
at daylight, and drove him from his camps, taking his guns 
wagons, many horses, etc.," and adds, "the guns and wagons 
could not be brought off for want of horses." 



Tliis is the old story of the Arkansas lawyer and the' iron 
pot: 

" May it please your honor, I submit, in defense of my client, 
first, that when she borrowed the pot in question, it was broken ; 
secondly, that when she returned the pot it was sound ; arid 
thirdly, that she never had the pot at'all." 

The Richmond Sentinel of the 23d says: 

" When Sherman's army captured Columbia, the reason the 
State house was not burned was because Sherman could not 
spare the powder." 

When General Sherman was encamped at Fayetteville he 
had a long conversation with a prominent arid wealthy citizeo, 
who has two sons in high command in the rebel army. The 
old gentlemen said many true and sensible things. 

" Sir," said he, embodying the gist of his conversation in a 
nutshell, "every life that is hereafter lost in the conflict is 
murder. We have fought- you bravely, but our strength is 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUEE8 OF A VOLUNTEER. 163 

exhausted. We have no resources. We have no more men. 
The contest was unequal. You have conquered us. It is best 
to submit and make wise use of the future. We would have 
peace were it not for that vain, obstinate, ambitious man, Jefl'. 
Davis. I am not in excitement, nor anger, when I assure you 
that a large number of our people curse him, not only with 
their hearts, but with their lips. His haughty ambition has 
been our ruin." 

Goldsboro, the scene of Sherman's last operation, is on Neuse 
river, and is the terminus of the North Carolina railroad to 
Raleigh. Before the war broke out it was a very flourishing 
town of three thousand inhabitants. Since the outbreak it has 
been strongly fortified and held by the rebels as an important 
point. 

The Charlotte South Carolinian says : 

In the light at Bentonville, two corps, under Slocum, and 
Kilpatrick's cavalry, were held in check, by a brigade under 
command of Colonel Albert Rhett, for five hours, when, being 
reinforced by another brigade, the Yankees were repulsed. 
Colonel Rhett was missing, and their loss was about five hun- 
dred, while ours was fully three thousand. 

The Newbern Dispatch of the 20th says : 

Supplies are being rapidly forwarded to Sherman's army. 
Transportation is abundant. The Sanitary Commission agents 
are also actively at work. The number of refugees attaching 
themselves to- this army is enormous. 

It appears that the evacuation of Kinston by the rebels was 
a grand mistake, as Bragg denies having ordered it, but Iloko 
produced a telegram sustaining his action. An entire rebel 
brigade attempted to desert between Kinston and Raleigh, in 
consequence of which they had a fight with other rebel troops. 

The advance of General Sherman towards Columbia, South 
Carolina, caused the rebels to remove prisoners confined there 
to Charlotte. 

Sherman's operations. 

City Point, March 29, 18G5. 

\SonorabU E. M, Stanton^ Secretary of War : I am in receipt 



IM' HFMOEOtrS ADVENTUEE8 OF A VOLUNTlKEB^^ 

of Sherman's report from the time he leftFayettevilleuptoth^ 
22d instant. iojjjmjo.) ov^tl moY. Av.v- Ja'tlnco od'l' 

It shows hard fighting, resulting in very heavy losses to the' 
enemy in killed and wounded, and over three thousand prisoners 
in our hands. His own loss, he says, will be covered by two 
thousand five hundred men, since he left Savannah. Many of 
these are but slightly wounded, 

(Signed) U. S. GRANT, 

Lieutenant General;' 

Johnston's entire force confronted Sherman at Smithfield, yet 
they could not withstand our fighting proclivities in an open 
field ; and to secure their own lives, as many of them thought, 
they coolly murdered many, very many, of our men. On the 
line of march here to-day, we foiind thirteen of our foragers 
murdered. Seven of them were Ijying beside of the road, all 
shot in the breast, and a placard pinned to each, on which waft 
written t 

"This is the way we treat Kilpatrick's thieves." 
Three others were found in a hou&e, murdered, having been 
shot down after they surrendered. The other three were found 
lying by the road side, their throats cut from ear to ear. On 
each of these was also pinned a placard ob which wa& written 
in pencil: .lihfujji: al'ioiJeJ-iO'iKajnT 

"South' Caralina's greeting to Yankee vandals." 
March 30. — Saw Orderly Sergeant Kennedy, J. W. F. John- 
son, and John Rover, all of G company, 9th Ohio cavalry, who 
were captured near Florence, Alabama, and have miraculously- 
escaped death by starvation and merciless treatment in the 
military pen at Anderson ville, Georgia, where they were con- 
fined over a year. They state that their capture was owing to= 
the absence of Captain Ilctzler, and the cowardice of Second 
Lieutenant Frank II. Knapp, who, instead of giving the nnfor--' 
tunate men orders to form in line, and defend themselves by^ 
performing their proper duty, ran witli dastardly haste from the 
barn then occupied by the men to seek a secure hiding placo 
for hittis^HV Failing in this, and afraid to proceed alone in any 
direction, Knapp sped back to the top of a sftbd hearthe baru 



HCMOBODS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 165 

where John Rover was stowed away. Attempting to climb tlie 
dilapidated chimney of which, Knapp was twice kicked to the 
ground by Rover. Crying and begging to be allowed to secure 
himself.;Rover at last consented, and there they both remained 
until shortly afterward they were captured by Rhoddy's men. 
Rover saj's a greater coward never existed than this fellow, 
Knapp. 

The secesh scoundrels who supervised this " Black Ilole of 
Calcutta," or, secesh den at Andersonville, were ruffians who 
purposely deprived men there of life, calling them " Yankees, 
unfit to live," and thinking the sooner they were rid of exist- 
ence the more beneficial it would be to themselves and their 
treacherous southern cause. A secesh general named Winder, 
and a villain named Wirz, his happy subordinate officer, had 
control here, and should never be allowed to exist, except 
in prison, one day after their arrest, if they are ever taken prig- 
oners. Rover says that at least ten thousand prisoners died 
from starvation alone at Andersonville during two months of 
,the summer of 1864, besides hundreds of others who were shot 
by the guards for no reason wliatever ; in fact, it was upheld 
through *he merest pretext by General Winder and Captain 
Wirz. 

The hats, caps, boots, shoes, even the only pair of pants which 
Avere owned by some of the prisoners were taken from, them by 
the guards. .j. .i^j. ^,..^^^^ .rr -^...-.-.^t ^j-, .' 

The burning of Columbia, South Carolina, by General Wade 
Hampton, turned eight thousand people upon the commons. 
It was a sad business, and before General Sherman left that 
part of the country he had a talk with the mayor. 

" What," said that personage, " is to .^ecome of me and these 
people?" ,, : ■ , •,, 

"Go," replied General Sherman, "to your friend, General 
Hampton." 

" ric'" said the mayor, " is our worst enemy." 

" Well, then you must live off of the country as I have been. 
doing." 
,. ' " But," said his honor, "there is nothing left in the country, 
and Lean 't see how these people arc to live." 



16^ HUMOROUS ADVENTUBES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

'^ Well," said the general, " if you really want my advice, I 
will give it to you. First, I will tell yon a great secret. I am 
not going to Augusta. There is a tract of country that my 
foragers have not touched yet. I forbade them going there 
that the people might think 1 was saving that to live oif of in 
my march on that city. Now, you can forage out of that coun- 
try." 

" Well," said his honor, " that might do, but these people 
will resist us, and we have no arms." 

" 1 will give you arms," said the general, and forthwith issued 
forty stand of arms. 

The lightning, when it strikes the oak and rends it, does not 
kill it at once, though its blight is sure. Whilst the trunk chars 
and crumbles away, the limbs drop off with every breath of 
wind, and gradually the whole disappears from view. So it will 
be with the insurrectionary force. The lightning has at last 
struck it at the base and rent it to the topmost bough. Day by 
day the consuming fire will creep lower into its roots, and it 
will sink beneath the mould never to shoot upward, or be seen 
again. 

APOCEYPHAL STOKY OF GENERAL SHERMAN. 

The Richmond Whig of March 29, is responsible for thefol- 
lowing: 

While in Fayetteville General Sherman liad an interview 
with a lady, the mother of a Confederate officer, in which he 
told her that he came through the South with moderation, dis- 
posed to burn no private property and to respect individual 
rights ; but if that course did not have the effect to subdue the 
rebellious spirit of our people, he would come again with the 
knife unsheathed, and would put to death, without regard to age 
or sex, the inhabitants of the country. Ilis language, to use 
his own expressive words, was that he would come again with 
the torch. 

APPEARANCE OF SIIEKMAn's ARMY. 

The army of General Sherman, whose long experience has 
made them the best foragers as well as fighters, have brought 



\ 

HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 167 

with them largo quantities of provisions and camp supplies.* 
The arrival at Goldsboro, and grand entree into the place, will 
forever remain one of the must interesting episodes of this 
war. 

In the rear of each division followed the foragers, or " bum- 
mers," as they were called by the soldiers, constituting a most 
motley group which strongly recalls the memory of Fallstaff 's 
ragged army, tliough they are by no means in buckram. The 
men having worn out all their clotliing and shoes during the 
march, were obliged to furnish themselves as best they could 
as they moved along- 

Here came men strutting in mimic dignity, in the old swal- 
low tailed coats, with plug hats, the tops knocked in ; there a 
group in seedy coats and pants of rebel gray, wilh arms and 
legs protruding beyond all semblance of fit or fashion ; short 
jackets, long tailed surtouts, and coats of every cast, with broad 
tails, narrow tails, and no tails at all — all of the most antiquated 
styles. Some wore womens' bonnets, or young ladies' hats 
with streamers of faded ribbons floating fantastically in t^e 
wind- The procession of vehicles and animals was of the 
most grotesque description. There were donkeys large and 
small, almost smothered under burdens of turkeys, geese, and 
other kinds of poultry, ox carts, skinny liorses pulling in the 
thills of some parish doctor's old sulky, farm wagons and bug- 
gies, hacks, chaises, rockaways, aristocratic and family carriages, 
all filled with plunder and provisions. ^^ 

There was bacon, hams, potatoes, flour, pork, sorghum, and 
freshly slaughtered pigs, sheep, and poultry dangling from 
saddle tree and wagon, sufficient, one would suppose, to supply 
the army for a month. 

All this provender was turned over to the chief commissary 
of each division, and was regularly issued to the troops as ra- 
tions. 

The men found abundance of eatables during the march in 
North Carolina, but no incendiarism was tolerated, and in many 
cases something was left the families 'who remained at their 
homes.] 

Refugees, white aud black, followed in mournful procession, 



1^8 'humokoits ADVENbruiiES'OF 1 yolunteeS. 

in the rear of the army, apd cheerfully shared with the soldiers 

tiie food they had taken from their own homes and farms. There 

was little murmuring or complaining, and hut little exhibition 

of bitter feeling against the troops. 
-iiiuJ '- -10 ,>...'...*' " . ■, . IK.; :,::■ 

;*:t*Vfri )! •'piGH't'WITH GUEKKILlAB-i-^TWO Mi:N EOAgTED ALITE. 

.^^,0n Friday last, a scout of Federal troops, sent out from Fort 

I)6nclson, in conimand of Lieutenant Colonel Brott^ met a squad 

of guerrillas in the vicinity of the Cumberland river, between 

Clarksville and the fort, and a brisk engagement ensued. A 

number of the outlaws took refuge in an old mill, and, thus 

sheltered, kept our troops at bay. One of the rebels, Horace 

, Wildey, was shot and killed. Two other members of the band 

"refused to surrender, when the mill was fired for the purpose 

of driving them from their shelter. The outlaws were firm, and 

stood their ground boldly. The building burned rapidly, and 

the two men were consumed in the flames. It was a horrible 

^eatb, and the heroism with which they met their fate was 

Worthy of a better cause. In this affair we lost one man killed 

and one wounded. 

A KAID INTO GEORGIA. 

March 31. — The 2d Missouri cavalry and a detachment of 
the 6th Tennessee cavalry, left Chattanooga on a scout into the 
counties of South Georgia. As their scout was intended to 

. familiarize them with tlie topography of that country, so that 
in case of need they could move quickly, they proceeded with 

" 'much leisure, from time to time paying attention to the bush- 
whackers who infested that country. These squads annoyed 
them at every mile, hanging on their flank, attacking the rear, 
and often seen by the advance. Several traps were laid for 
them by Colonel Merrill. The Federals camped at Summcrvile 
one night, and were pegtered more than usual by these outlaws, 
who would attack the videttes and endeavor to capture them. 
To stop this a vidette was stationed on the Alpine road, and 
between him and (he reserve a squad was placed in ambush. 
In a short time six of the devils came down the road, drove the 
vidette back, and followed him past the squad in ambush. Tho 



HUMOKOU8 Adventures of a voluntkee. 169 

latter rose and fired a volley that caused the rebels toyeU"^ith 
' fear and pain. Three of them were hit, one of whom fell from 
his horse, but the rest actually stopped, placed him on his 
horse, and dashed away before our mounted men could come 
^up- 
on the same night another band made an attack on the pickets 
on the railroad. 

Here a company was placed in ambush, and the rest of the 
regiment withdrawn into Siimmerville. Guerrillas, thirty in 
number, charged up the road, the pickets fell back until pass- 
ing the party in ambush, they wheeled for them, and killed and 
captured one half of these desperadoes. Advancing to Dug 
gap another little battle took place, the guerrillas numbering 
seventy. ;:l*'} )iov/ 

The most inhuman deed of all has yet to'bc recorded. While 
the regiment was at Alpine, last Friday night, four of the men 
were placed on picket half a mile from camp, near the house 
of a man named H. M. Knox. In the morning Knox came out 
to the post and invited the men in to breakfast. Believing him 
an honest man, and not thinking of danger, they went with him. 
They took seats on the porch and entered into conversation with 
Knox and his wife. While talking a negro woman came to the 
porch and wanted to speak to the soldiers, but both Knox and 
his wife ordered her into the house. A few minutes afterward 
six gucrrilas dashed around into ' the road from behind the 
house, presented their pistols at the soldiers, and ordered them 
to surrender. Being unarmed they complied, when the guer- 
rillas took them into the road, made them stand in a row, and 
shot at them. One was shot through the right lung, two through 
the neck, while the fourth one escaped. 
'' Colonel Merrill arrested Knox and his wife, and some of the 
*^'^arty Knox had with him, and lodged them in prison, whence 
should soon go to the gallows. Major General Steedman hear- 
ing of the affair, and that the woman was in Chattanooga, 
promptly sent her north as a prisoner of war, and intends that 
the male portion of the munlerous crew shall publicly exhibit 
themsrlves as lofty swinging- cbcmbers of the vile portion of 
humanity. • i 



170 • HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEB. 

GENERAL FOEEESt's CHALLENGE TO GENEKAL "WILSON ACCEPTED. 

The Nashville Dispatch has the following : 

Our readers, will recollect a correspondence from Eastport in 
which it was stated that the rebel General Forrest sent a chal- 
lenge to General Wilson, proposing a fair, open field fight, e:f- 
pressing his convictions of success in any such engagement. 
General Wilson gratified Forrest in this desire, the result being 
contrary to his braggadocia. General Wilson met the rebel 
Generals Forrest and Taylor, on the 28th, at a point between 
Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. It was a desperate eagage- 
ment,and called into requisition all the military skill and bravery 
of both commands. Tiie forces under both these rebel officers 
were totally defeated, and a large number of men captured by 
General Wilson's cavalry, for his force consists of cavalry al- 
together. Beside the route of the enemy General Wilson de- 
stroyed sixteen cars, containing amunition, commissary stores, 
etc., and four locomotives. 

This Forrest trapeze movment caused some excitement in 
military circles, and his rout was discussed with some interest, 
in East Tennessee. The news caused General Thomas to accel- 
erate the movements of some of the troops. It is thought the 
track of the rebel army will be along the. Danville railroad into 
North Carolina. 

Rebel sympathizers who imagine Forrest equal, or superior, 
to Ney, Murratt, or any other great cavalr^^^ leader of modern 
times, received the startling intelligence of his defeat with grim 
smiles of unbelief Their temper, however, was sadly ruffled 
by the joy which the news called forth from the Unionists all 
around them. 

April 2. — An amusing incident occurred not long since at 
General Howard's headquarters, where- General Sherman was 
dining. 

There was a prosy chaplain present who was the terror of 
hungry campaigners. Sherman was discussing, with one of 
Howard's stalf, the conduct of a particular otlicer whose habits 
had given hini-some trouble, Durijig the conversation the 
parties took their seats at the table, and Sherman continued his 



HUMOROUS ADVENTDEES OF A VOLUKTEEB. 17 1 

conversation with the officer without noticing that the parson 
had launched out into one of his long-winded thankso^ivino-s 
Sherman wound ftp his conversation about th6 delinquent with 
the energetic exclamation : ' " " 

" D — n the fellow ! will he ever restrain himself? " 

The horrified parson here came to a dead halt, thinking the 
question applied to him, and the company irreverently burst 
into a roar of laughter. Sherman looked as puzzled as the 
chaplain, but enjoyed the fun as soon as it was explained to 
him. 

" Parson," he said, " the befit apology I can make you, is to 

say that if Colonel D-^ had but half your earnestness and 

control, he would make a better oflicer." 

Petersburg, Virginia, is ours, with 12,000 prisoners, fifty 
peioes of artillery, and thousands of small arms. 

now TO CHEAT SUTLERS. 

Some of the boys of an Ohio Battery wished to celebrate a 
recent victory in a spirited manner, but the Paymaster had 
not been around recently, and the sutler would not trust them 
for whiskey. So they rigged out one of their number with two 
canteens, one of which was filled with water so "doctered" 
with coffee as to resemble, in color, the desired liquor. He 
went to the sutler, had the empty canteen filled, and then asked 
to be trusted. This the sutler refused, when the soldier passed 
to him the other canteen, telling him to keep his bad whiskey, 
and the sutler, glad to get rid of so ugly a customer, without 
money, poured the water into his whiskey barrel, and bid him 
begone. The boys had a fine spree that niglit, and not the 
least of this pleasure arose from the manner in which the 
sutler was sold. 

April 3, 18C5. — This day Kichmond is ours- 
Major General Dix : 

From a dispatch of General Weitzel, just received at this 
department, 1 learn that our forces under his command are in 
Richmond, having taken it at 8:15 this morning. 

^E. M. STANTON, 

Secretary of War. 



Oifi iLiii '^.li: OFFICIAL WAR BUttE-rtl^ '^^"^^ ^<jit::^'>'''^'''-> 

-General Sheridan attacked and routed :Le«'s army,, capturing j 
Gerierals Ewell, Kershaw, Button, and po^ft^ anji driving, tlje 
enemy across Sailor's creek, Virginia. , ; ;,,,!; i-; .{ -; j -- 
qJj y,f(Signed) E. MySTANTON, .^r;- 

Ja-J-ud (,i)ii^i'/.ji-ii yL'ii*^ujo.'j iulj ixiJi .Uiiiferpt^ry of Wsr-.^jp j 
ojfl f.i; ri-.fwr-f; pft bajluul ar.f.'r >ifS .-;'•!'•'. i 'i«i .•.• Ji-f 

o-i hoi:' :i8iJnoc CityiIPqiot.; April -7-1^7^:35, A. Mm 

Honorable Secretaky of War : 

At 11:15 P, M., yesterday, at Burkesville station, Qpnera 
Grant.sendS;,aie the following from -General $keridan : 

■ A. LI^OOLN. 

.smifi liwnta'io Rhnfianodi lApril O-^ 1,1:15 P. M»- 
Lieutenant General Grant: 

I have the honor to report that the enemy made a stand at 
the intersection of the Burke's station road, with the road «pon 
.:,jwhich they were retreating. I attacked them with two divi^oii. 
of the sixth army corpus, and routed them handsomely, makin;.' 
a connection with the cavalry., I am still, pressing on with 
both cavalry and infantry.bQlJit euw tbiilv/ lo eao ,i^no^iiisi) 
• Up to the present time 'we havd, 'captured Generals. Ewell, 
■Kershaw, Button, Corse, Dubarry,;and Custis Lee, seveiiai thou 
sand prisoners, fourteen: pieces of artillery with caisspfls, and a 
,vlarge number of wagons. .;;ijl ,n . 

If pressed Lee will surrendeijJ i- ■> • 

P. H. SHERIDAN, 
cilj ioi. 1 . ' j;>iiJ jui^d ;.um ii bijil < Major General. 

lee's surrender. 

General Lee became a member of the peace party at a late 
day. His conversion was wrought through great tribulatipn. 
p.i*'To befrank,'^ he 4id not thirik tlie iemergency had arriveid for 
the shrronder of his army, but "as > the restoration of peace 
should be the sole object of all," he wanted. to know whether 
Grant's pfo|) OS al to xiccept the surrender of the army of North- 
era- ViVgiui^ " would tend to that end." Therefore, while h( 



HeMOROIJS' ADVENTlJBfiS OF' A'tOLUNlEESJt 173t 

^Villd" fibt meet' Griant with a view to surrender the army under 
is immediate command, lie ivould be pleased to meet him with, 
.1 view' to feeJ§ h&w h,v ttve ' ^opogition made to ioc«ive' thd r 
army of Northern Virginia as prisoners of war might ajSect > 
the Confederate' States forced "under my command," (that is, 
aft the armie^' Of the Confeideracy, Lie-utenaot Oeneral Lee) 
being general-i'A-chief,) abd tend^o.t:h6'fnllirei^oratiou of needed 
peace." ' ' ■ '■■^-■' ' , '■'->' ■ ■'■''•■>■'. ,,.,•,,. 

''©fefbr^GpeiietalOrant arrived GerMjral Meade, in command 
of *he army Of the JPotomaO above, had ordered an advance of 
the second and sixth corps against the enemy. General i Lee, 
waiting a reply from General Grant to a rtlessage^'he had sent 
him, asked a truce from General Meade until he considered the 
terms of surrender. -Meade- ^fcoBsented to- Suspend bostilitie&i 
until 2 P. M. :iy;^-iij',6 ■■o fet-CMui aljivrxr il-uH i'.n .-•( >'Mn.'. 

iAt half past I'^.M., General Grant arrived' at Sheridan's 
hca'dqharters, and sent General Bawlings, his cliief- of- staff, and • 
Colonel Babcock, his aide, to General Lee's headquarters. On 
their arrival it was as'certained that General Meade-^tbe limit 
set by him for the mispension of Ms advance having passed — 
had again ordered the second and sixth corps against the rebeU 
rear from 'abo*tes^ .lor^jRiif/ meiij ol iaoaHW on boaaonqxD oil 

Colonel Babcocf,- tifi&bi^ U' flag' bf twce ' frmii ©eriefalit^'a.T 
lloegj proceeded to Meade's headquarters, and requested that 
officer to delay bis attdckuhtilthe impending meeting between' 
Lee arid Grant was over. ' '■'. ' ' • '■' 

Returning to Lee's headqimrters, he thenf ih'Oompairy with 
Genferal Rjiwlirigs^ e^o^irted the southern chieftan through his ^ 
own and Sheridaft-^s line» to Grant's headquarters'^ at A])pomat- ' 
tox Court house. At 2:30> P. M. the party reached Appomattox 
Coart house, where Grant awaited his visitor' at the house of a 
citizen named Wilmer McLaUe. Grant received his guest with 
the simple soldierly franknesi^ that is part of his nature. As 
Lee advanced into the room Grant aroscy. and both clasped 
hands. The rebel chief sank iiito a chair, and within a few 
minutes both were earnestly discussing the terms of capitula-; 
tion. General Let wished to know distinctly what General 
Grant had to propose. O^ a 



Iffir 5UM0K0U8 ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

General Grant assured him that the language of his previous 
dispatch explained his wishes. He desired the surrender of 
the army of Northern Virginia on the following conditions 
only: , / ; .,: 

"1. Rolls of all officers to be made in duplicate, one copy 
to be given to an officet to be designated by me, the other to 
be retained by such officers as you may designate. 

"2. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take 
arms against thq United States -until properly exchanged, and 
each company, Or regimental officer sign a like. parole for mono 
of their commands. [j 

"3. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked, r 
and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me 
to receive them. This will not embrace the side arms of the 
officers, nor their private horses or baggage. 

"■4:. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to 
return to their , homes, not to be disturbed by United States! 
authority, so long as they observe their .parole and the laws in) 
force where they reside." iioogi; ^ l) 

Being completely at the mercy of the conquerer. General 
Lee was evidently pleased with , the liberality of these, terms,, 
He expressed no dissent to them whatever. After enquiringf 
as to the private baggage and horses of his officers, he requested 
to know whether General Grant would permit those among 
his men who owned private horses to jetain them. 

General Grant responded that although he disliked to put 
such a condition into the terms of surrender, he would instruct 
his officers who would have charge of such matters to see that» 
General Lee'^ wish was complied with. : Whereat Lee ex- > 
pressed his satisfaction. Lee then remarked upon the extreme 
destitution of his troops. They had no supplies of any conse- 
quence for two days, he said. "Even the prisoners I have 
taken from you. General, have suffered from lack of food. I 
could not help it. My own men have been almost starving.'" 

Grant promptly ofiered to divide with him and fulfilled his 
promise before nighfall by ordering rations of beef and cofiee 
for twenty five thousand men to be sent to the rebeL commis- 
sary, .-jeo'joiq oj I)fiif Iniii' 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OP A VOLUNTEEE. 175 

The Lieutenant General then wrote a dispatch addressed to 
General Lee containing the terms he proposed to receive the 
surrender as quoted above. General Lee, after reading it, 
drew his chair up to the table and wrote his acceptance of the 
proposal, as follows : 

Headquarters Army or Northern Vibqinia,") 

April 9th, 1865. | ,„ 

Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant., Cofnmanding U. S. A.: — General: 
I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms 
of surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by, 
you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in 
your letter of the 8th inst., they are accepted. I will proceed 
to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into 
•feffect. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. LEE, General. 

After short desultary conversation. General Lee took his de- 
parture, General Grant attending him to the door, and taking 
his hand at the threshold. The interview was conducted on 
the part of General Lee with the manly but conscious bearing 
of a soldier beaten but not cowed : on the part of General Grant 
with the generous spirit of a conqueror who could afford to 
admit the ability, the courage, and the deserts of a noble foe. 
10 TRIUMPE. 

By 4 o'clock P. M. the two armies, which had been impa- 
tiently waiting the result of the conference, knew that the 
articles had been signed. The discipline ordered by both 
commanders did not prevent men and officers intermingling, 
congratulating each other, thanking God, Grant and Lee, in 
unison, that the long agony of fight and pursuit was over. 
Every band in the army became inspired with melodious fervor 
The " Marsellaise," the " Star Spangled Banner," the " Flag ot 
our Union," were played and sang. Officers from the Lieuten- 
ant General down to Colonels, were greeted with an uprorious 
tumult of delight. All gave signs of gladness. 

April 6. — The Herald's correspondent from the late mansion 
of Jeff Davis in Richmond, Va., says: The avacuation of this 
city was contemplated several days before it took place, but. 



l?!' HUMOildtTS ADViJNTlffiES OP A VOLUinEER. 

that decision was not arrived at until Sunday afternooin, when 
Lee telegraphed Davis that Grant had rendered the holding oi 
the city impossible. This telegram was read m the churches, 
and the leading rebels left at once. Jefi' Davis at 8 o'clock P. 
M., for Dativille. The city was fired by General Ewell, and, 
although General Weitzell endeavored to subdue the flames, 
one third of the city Was destroyed. 

It was understood to have been Lee's design to reach Dan- 
ville, Va., and then fortify and make another stand there. This 
plan Sheridan's movements frustrated, and then Lee endeavored 
to get to Lynchburg. Davis received Lee's^dcspatch to evac- 
uee at church. He escaped on the first train, taking his liorses. 
and carriage, so as to take the road in case the track was in- 
terrupted. Axtra Billy Smith did not leave till after midnight. " 
He left his wife behind^ as did also'General Lee. News of the 
death of her son, W. H. F. Lee, in the battle, was received. 
Br'6t'ken ridge left the city as late as half past six Monday 
morning. A large number of rebel officers were captured an<ll 
p^jiroled. ' 

o: Judge Campbell tendered his services to President Lincoln 
to^'visit Jeff Davis and urge him to peace. The President said 
h<i would receive communications, but would send n^ne. 

Tlie rebel gdvernment carried off government archives and 
three millions of gold coin. Their destination was supposed 
to be Charlotte, N. C. Richmond is now in a state of famine. 
Provisions being nearly all consumed. The population is 
nearly all there, very few having left. 

Breckenridge superintended the destruction of the city, and 
directed the firing of the buildings. The original secessionists 
here now are willing to take the oath, and proclaim their readi- 
neaa for unconditional submission 1 ^SGoiit ye loafers," &c. 

., NEWS FKOM SnERMAN. I'JlOO 

• A preconcerted plan to fire Newbern, N. C, was dcvelo|3ed 
April Glh, at 8 o'clock A. M. Several large buildings contain- 
ing forage, 'ordnance, and commissary stores^ were set entire 
simultaneonsly with the aid of phosphorus. The alarm was 
given and signalled at once, when the lire department and 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 177 

population turned out, and the flames were subdued without 
much damage. Kebel ofBcers were discovered who, with other 
suspicious characters, are in confinemetat. Double guards 
patrol the city to prevent a like occurrence and arrest all sus- 
picious characters. 

The Steamers Ajax and United States arrived at Fortress 
Monroe from Newbern, N. C, with a large number of prisoners 
captured by General Sherman. 

April 7. — General Sherman has resumed his march and left 
Goldsboro in his rear. 

A portion of Stoneman's cavalry w^ere in Marion, Tcnn., and 
in Smyth county on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad; 
while another portion have gone through Carter county, Tenn., 
towards Salisbury, N. C, on a feint, it is supposed, to distract 
the attention of the rebel commander, while the real advance 
will be in another direction. Some skirmishing took place 
between the rebel cavalry and ours west of Bristol, Va., result- 
ing in the capture of a squandron. General Stoneman occupied 
Salisbury April 10th. , 

Jeff Davis at latest accounts had arrived at Charlotte, N. C, 
with three delapidated trunks. There is not a man living in 
this country to-day who would exchange places with him. 
Despised for his treason, hated for his cruel exercise of power, 
a fugitive and a vagabond, tlie wretched author of innumerable 
woes, he might decide for himself the question of Hamlet, "to 
be, or not to be'' in the negative, were it not for fear of some- 
thing hereafter ; and compared with which " the sour apple 
tree," to which he has been condemed so often, would be as 
rose water to aqua fortis. 

A Colonel lately released from Libby prison, says that, while 
there, the party he was with was visited by Mrs. Scddon, wife 
of the late rebel Secretary of War, she denounced them in the 
most bitter terms, calling them "inhuman monsters," "hell 
hounds," and "vipers." At her suggestion they were then 
thrown into a miserable dungeon, almost destitute of light and 
air, where their sufferings were terrible. What should be done 
to this demoniacal female fury? 

The United States Government has all to say about that. 
12 



178 nuMOEOus adventuees of a tolunteee. 

CAriLLAKY COMMEKCE. 

"A neice of James Madison" suggested through tlie Rich- 
mond Whig, a few dajs before it became "loyal," a new way 
to pay off the confederate debt. She writes: "There are two 
million women over twelve years of age in the confederacy; 
some heads have one and some three or four braids of hair ; 
say they will average two; therefore there are about four 
million braids, worth in Europe ten dollars each in gold, and 
in confederate Qipney two billions, nearly double our present 
indebtedness. A ship loaded with this precious traffic might 
make hair-breadth escapes, but angels would guard it (by 
General Maury's permission), and land it safely at Havre. All 
Europe would purchase at a speculative price. Many braids, 
offerings on the altar of liberty, would bring in Paris, labelled 
with the name of the donors, thousands at auction! Our debt 
would be a mere circumstance to the amount realized: and I 
propose that every loyal woman in the South send, forthwith, 
her hair, tied with a ribbon and labelled with her name, to 
Madame Levert, in Mobile. Here's mine, and two braids." 

Some wag in Van Wert county fixed up a hen's egg so that 
the words "PEACE, 18GG," appeared legibly on the shell, and 
found a dunce who paid $150 for the curiosity. Since then 
the boys of Van Wert have gone largely into speculations with 
prophetic eggs. Will Madame Levert follow that example ? 
Time will develope this. 

April 9. — Our forces captured Mobile to-day and five thou- 
sand seven hundred prisoners in or near the city. Spanish Fort 
with one thousand men also fell into onr hands, where General 
Maury's chief of staff ended his life by being shot through the 
left eye by one of our sharpshooters. He was a classmate with 
General Anderson at West Point in 18-17. Take all this to your 
soul, Jeff Davis, and look out for your life.. 

Ajpril 15. — Cincinnati's truly loyal citizens were proudly 
rejoicing over all our glorious victories, the surrender of Lee 
and his vain-glorious rebel troops, yesterday, and were retiring 
gladly to repose when the following heart-rendering news 
came here by telegraph at 11 o'clock P. M. 



HTJMOEO S ADVENTUKE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 179 

ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT — HE IS SHOT IN THE THEATER — A 
NATIONAL CALAMITY. 

About half past ten o'clock this evening a desperado, well 
dressed, appeared at the house of Secretarj^ Seward and asked 
to see him, a servant informed him he could not, upon which 
he said he had a prescription from Surgeon General Barnes, he 
was ordered to deliver in person. The servant referred him to 
Fred. Seward, who, being present, told the stranger he would 
take charge of the medicine, but the desperado refused to de- 
liver it, rushed past Fred. Seward, and struck Secretary Seward 
with a dagger in the throat and breast. The wounds, upon 
examination by the surgeon general, are pronounced not fatal. 
Major Seward, son of the secretary and paymaster in the army 
of the United States, was also badly cut in his efforts to defend 
his father. 

• Simultaneously with this, John Wilkes Booth, another vil- 
lainous desperado, (who being in Cleveland, Ohio, a year and 
a half previous to this, told a prominent citizen there, that 
"the man who killed Abraham Lincoln would occupy a higher 
niche of fame than George Washington,") appeared at Ford's 
theater and obtained admission to the box occupied by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, his wife. Miss Harris, and Major Rathbone. 

The following statement, entirely reliable, is from Mr. James 
Ferguson, each part of which is corroborated by Miss Harris, 
and it therefore assumes a serious and important character, as 
it establishes the proof of a series of preparations by the mur- 
derer .to secure himself from interference, while in the box< 
from any person in the dress circle ; and also, and more serious 
still, calls up the suspicion that he had confederates having as 
easy access to the theater as he had, and that part of his prep- 
arations were made in the daytime: 

Mr. James P. Ferguson went to the theater on Friday night 
for the express purpose of seeing General Grant, who was an- 
nounced to be present. Mr. Ferguson saw the presidential 
party enter the box, but of course, did not see the general. He 
however, continued to watch the box, thinking the general 



180 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEK. 

would slip quietly in to avoid the demonstrations that would 
attend his recognition. 

When the second scene of the third act of the play was 
reached, Mr. Ferguson saw, and recognized, John Wilkes 
Booth making his way along the dress circle to the President's 
box. Of this box Mr, Ferguson had an excellent view, being 
seated in the dress circle just opposite to it, next to tlie private 
boxes on the other side of the circle. This seat he had chosen 
to afford his companions a good view of tlie lieutenant general, 
and, for the reason already stated was narrowly watching the 
entrance to it. 

Mr. Ferguson watched for his appearance in the box, desiring 
to see who in that party the actor could be on such intimate 
terms with, as to feel warranted in taking such a liberty. 
Whether Booth shut the door of the little corridor, or left it 
open behind him, Mr. Ferguson fears to state positively ; but 
from what he observed of the door he believes it was shut. 

The shot was the next thing Mr. Ferguson remembers. He 
saw the smoke, then perceived Booth standing upright, with 
both hands raised, but, at that moment, saw no weapon or any 
thing else in either. Booth then sprang to the front of the box, 
laid his left hand on the railing in front, was checked an instant, 
evidently by his coat or pants being caught by something or 
held back by somebody. (It was by Major Kathbone.) Mr. 
Ferguson and Booth had met in the afternoon, and conversed, 
being well acquainted with each other, so that the former im- 
mediately recognized him. Booth took off his hat, and holding 
it in his left hand, leaned against the wall behind him. In this 
attitude he remained for half a minute; then, adds Mr^ Fer- 
guson, he stepped down one step, put liis hand on the door of 
the little corridor leading to the box, bent his knee against it, 
tlie door opened, and Booth entered the corridor, and was, for 
a few moments hidden entirely from Mr. Ferguson's sight. 

A post in front obstructed the view of Mr. Ferguson, but 
Booth soon changed his position, and again was clearly seen 
by Mr. Ferguson. He now had a knife in his right hand, which 
he also laid on the railing, as he already had his left, and vaulted 
out. As his legs passed between the folds of the flags deco- 



HUM0KOD8 ADVENTURES OF A TOLUNTEEE. 181 

rating the box, his spur, which he wore on the right heel, caught 
the drapery, and brouo-ht it down, tearing a strip with it. "When 
he let go the railing, he still clutched the shining knife. Booth 
crouched as he fell, falling on one knee, and putting forth both 
hands to help himself recover an erect position, which he did 
with the rapidity and easy agility of a practiced and accom- 
plished athlete. 

Having recovered his equilibrium Booth strode across the 
stage to the first entrance, passing behind the actor on the stage, 
(Harry Hawk.) When he reached the other side of the stage, 
just before he became invisible by passing into the entrance, 
he looked up, and Mr. Ferguson heard him say: " I have done 
it," and then lost sight of him. 

It appears from the Herald's account that jMajor Rathbone 
was not aware of the presence of the assassin in the box until 
he heard the pistol, when, turning, he saw the man within six 
feet of the President. The major sprang to seize him, the 
man struggled, made a thrust at the major's breast with a knife, 
which the major received on his left arm near the shoulder, 
when the assassin sprang from the box. The major cried out: 
"Stop him ! " and thinking it impossible for him to escape from 
the crowd below, turned to give the neccessary attention to the 
President. 

The President had not changed his position, except that his 
eyes were closed and his head slightly bent forward. The whole 
time consumed by the assassin in entering the box, shooting 
the President through the head, and disappearing, was less than 
thirty seconds. 

Booth had a horse at the back door of the theater, which he 
mounted, pronouncing, as he rode away, the motto of the State 
of Virginia : 

" Sic semper tyrannusP (Perish all tyrants.) 
The parting of his family with the dying Prcsiocnt is too sad 
for description, The blood oozed out from the wound at the 
back of his head, he was in a state of syncope, totally insens- 
ible until he expired. The ball entered the head of tlie Pres- 
ident in the back part, near the base of the brain, took a direct 
course toward the right eye, struck the orbinal bone, rebounded 



182 HUMOEOUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

and lodged several inches from the surface. The ball was flat- 
tened. 

It is ascertained that some weeks ago the President had re- 
ceived several letters warning him that an attempt would be 
made upon his life, but to these he attached very little import- 
ance. It was alwaj's thought he Avas not sufficiently careful of 
his individual safety on his last visit to the armies in Virginia. 

April 18. — The pickets encircling Washington city, Friday 
night, to prevent the escape of the parties who murdered the 
President and attempted the assassination of Secretary Seward 
and his sons, were fired upon at several points by concealed 
foes. 

Payne, the assassin who attempted the life of Mr. Seward, 
was taken last night, in disguise, at the house of Mrs. Surratt, 
another accomplice, in Washington. 

Charleston, South Carolina, was taken March 1-4, through 
Sherman"s movements. 

Major General Sherman has concluded a treaty with General 
Joe. Johnston, which is not ratitied. He is ordered to resume 
hostilities. 

Reverend Mr. Adams, of Philadelphia, in a recent discourse, 
speaking of an early morning call upon Mr. Lincoln, made the 
following statement : 

''-^'i Morning came. 4I hastened my toilet, and at a quarter to 5, 
found myself in the waitiftg room of the President. I asked 
the usher if I could see Mr. Lincoln. He informed me that I 
could not. 

" But I have engaged to meet him this morning." 

"At what hour?" 

"At 6 o'clock." 

" Well, sir, he will see you at 5." 

I then heard a voice, as if in conversation, and asked the 
servant : 

" Who is talking in the next room?" 

" It is the President, sir." 

" Is anybody with him ? " 

"No, sir; he is reading the bible." 

" Is that his habit so early in the morning?** 



HrMOROrS ADTENTUKES OF A VOLCTST-jfeElfe. 1?3 

" Yes, sir ; he spends every mornincr from 4 o'clock to 5, in 
reading- the scriptures and praying." 

The last writing done by President Lincoln, was the follow- 
ing : 

"Allow Mr. Ashmead and friend to come to me at 9 A. M., 
to-morrow, April 15, 1865." 

The body is embalmed, in a coffin of mahogany, covered 
with black cloth, and lined with lead, covered with white satin. 
A silver plate on the coffin over the breast, bears the following 
inscription : 



ABRAHAM LINCOLnT 

SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES. 
BoRx JuLT 12, 1S09. DiEu April 15, I8(J5. 

BE 



Atzeroth, one of the principal assassins, is captured, and. 
Booth has been traced to Port Tobacco, Charles county, Mary- 
land. 

An advertisement was inserted in the Selma (Alabama) Dis- 
patch, offering "to take the lives of President Lincoln, Vice 
President Johnson, and Secretary Seward for one million of 
dollars in Confederate money." I hope that advertising ruffian 
will be cauo'ht and dealt with according to what his crime de- 
serves. ■" 

Jeff. Davis is now with Johnston's army, ordering a battle- 
Johnston refuses to risk this, as he knows it to be a desperate' 
useless, wanton resistance to the invincible legions of Sherman ; 
led, as they are, by one of the best generals living. A man 
like Jeff. Davis, who could consign innocent prisoners of war 
to the barbarities of Andersonville, Salisbnry, and the Libby, 
can not be expected to practice any humanity toward his own 
soldiery. 

The President's remains are to be forwarded in a funeral traia 
from Washington, District of Columbia, to Springhold, Illinois, 
where our late lamented President will be interred according to 
the wishes of his family and the arrangements of the State 
authorities. 



184: nuMOKOus adventukes of a volunteer. 

A committee was appointed at the opera house, in Cincin- 
nati, to use every effort to secure to Cincinnati the privilege of 
participating in the faneral honors to our late Chief Magistrate. 
The following dispatch indicates their failure : 

"Washington, April 19. 
«A. C. Sands : 

" The published programme is changed. In the new arrange- 
ment Cincinnati can not possibly be included, 

" JOHN BROUGH." 

"Washington, April 10. 
"A. C. Sands : 

"The committee having charge of the remains of the Presi- 
dent have decided that they can not take them via Cincinnati, 

which I much regret. 

" W. DENNISON." 

Disappointed in this effort, the committee endeavored to pro- 
cure a special train to Columbus, in order that a delegation from 
Cincinnati might join in the ceremonies at the State capital. 
But the railroads were unal)le to furnish a sufficient number of 
cars, and all that could be done was to arrange with the Little 
Miami railroad to furnish accommodations on a morning train 
for a few hundred persons. 

The names of these honorable gentlemen are worthy of 
record in this connection, and I hereTespectfully give them to 
the public : i •-, 

Colonel L. A. Harris, 

A. C. Sands, 

Thomas II. Weasner, 

Benjamin Eggleston, 

Miles Greenwood, 

George F. Davis. 
Manuel B. .'Field, Esq., who was present at Mr. Lincoln's 
death bed, says: 

"The President's eyes, after death, were not closed. I closed 
them myself with my fingers, and a surgeon brought pennies 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 185 

21 

and placed tliem on the eyes, but suusequently substituted for 
them silver half dollars. In a very short time, tlie jaw com- 
menced slightly falling, although the body was still warm. I 
called attention to this, and had it immediately tied up with a 
handkerchief. 

" The expression immediately after death was purely negative, 
but in fifteen minutes there came over the mouth, the nostrils, 
and the chin, a smile that seemed almost an eilbrt of life. I 
had never seen upon the President's face an expression more 
genial and pleasing. 

The following incidents of the last day of his life have been 
obtained from several sources. His son. Captain Lincoln, 
breakfasted with him on Friday morning; having just returned 
from the capitulation of Lee, and the President passed a happy 
hour listening to all the details while at breakfast. He heard 
that Speaker Colfax was in the house, and sent word that he 
wished to see him immediately. He conversed with him 
nearly an hour about his future policy as to the rebellion, 
which he was about to submit to the cabinet. 

A2}ril 20.— A reward of ^100,000 is oflered ior the arrest of 
• John Wilkes Booth to-day at Washington, and $25,000 for his 
accomplices. 

Wrote a letter to President Johnson, and one to Secretary 
Stanton to-day asking, begging, praying them to place me on 
any hazardous duty they deemed necessary, in order to act as 
spy, or go boldly forth in assisting to capture Booth and his 
accomplices ; that in performing any duty they deemed neces- 
say, I, poor in funds and property, as I am, asked no pay 
whatever from the United States Government, whose humble 
and obedient servant I will remain while life lasts. 

The feelings manifested by our soldiers against southern 
people in Richmond and Petersburg, Va., on receipt of the 
news of President Lincoln's assassination has beenj^somewhat 
allayed, as they proved themselves innocent of any complicity 
in this horrid deed. In conseciuonce of which the soldiers 
fraternize better than at first with the citizens. Koger A. 
Prior stated in Petersburg that " he believed Mr. Lincoln ii.- 
dispensible to the restoration of peace, and regretted the death 



186 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

more than any military mishap of the South." He and the 
Mayor placed themseves at the head of a movement for a town 
meeting to " deplore the loss on both private and public 
grounds." Both Petersburg and Richmond are draped in 
mourning. 

- The only death of occupants of the Presidental Chair prior 
■to the great tradegy of Good Friday, 1865, were those of Wil- 

- liam H. Harrison, who died a month after being sworn into 
■ office, and was succeeded by John Tyler; and Zachary Taylor, 

who died one year and five months after his inauguration, and 
was succeeded by Millard Fillmore. 

The exodus of the rebellion leaders from Richmond, and the 

J introduction of greenbacks, brought down eggs from twenty- 

' five dollars to thirty cents per dozen, and other things in like 

proportion. The change of base on the part of the confederate 

government, gave the southern people something on which to 

change their base. 

April 25. — Our capture of rebel artillery since December 
1st, 1864, is as follows: :' ■■ •/ 

Capture by General Thomas from Hood on his Nashville 
campaign, 72 ; General Sherman at Savannah, 160 ; General 
Terry, General Schofield and Admiral Porter from Fort Fisher 
to Wilmington, inclusive, 180 ; General Gilmore at Charleston 
from General Sherman's fl^ank movement, 450 ; Sherman en 
route through South and North Carolina, 85; Sheridan in the 
Charlotteville raid, 17 ; General Grant around Petersburg, 75 ; 
around and in Richmond, 500 ; Canby at Mobile, Ala., 75 ; 
Stoneman at Salisbury, 19; Wilson at Selman, 22; grand total, 
1,665. ' 

It is very evident that in these days of danger to the arro- 
gant leaders of the South, (men who deserve no leniency from 
the United States Government,) Lee, Beauregard and Hardee, 
have little regard for their wives. Each of these gentlemea 
proclaimed in speeches published by the press that '• no lady 
would be safe if the Yankees got possession of their 'sunny 
clime of beauty.'" Notwithstanding all this grand palaver 

- Beauregard lelt hie sweet one in New Orleans when General 
Butler took possession of that city; Hardee left his better half 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 187 

in Savannah General Sherman occupied it, and General Lee 
followed suit when General Grant's forces captured that pala- 
tial abode of confederate chivalry. 

Secretary Stanton has promulgated General Canby's official 
report of the occupation of Mobile and the capture of prisoners, 
guns, ammunition, and cotton dated April 21st, 1S(j5. 

Nearly all of Mosby's command (guerrillas and bushwhack- 
ers,) have surrendered to General Hancock, who commands 
the Veteran Reserve Corps. 

Reliable information is received of the rapid decrease of 
•Johnson's force by desertion. The majority of those who cjuit 
the rebel service so summarily, go to their homes, especially 
those from North Carolina and Virginia, who have not a great 
distance to travel.^ If they would only -stand and fight against 
General Sherman and his force, the General's occupation would 
soon be gone. 

" Mack" says : '• 'Sherman's bummers' have received full 
justice at the hands of the historians of the late campaign 
through the Carolinas." 

As good a Avriter and truthful a gentleman as " Mack" is 
known to be, speaks plainly and awards them the merit they 
deserve : 

"Thoy have generally been spoken of as having rendered 
more service to themselves than to the army — as having been 
actuated solely by a desire to '^plunder, in all their operations. 
Whatever may have been their object on starting out in the 
morning, they frequently proved themselves of great value to 
the cause before they went into camp at night, and the confes- 
sions of many an officer of rank go to prove that the army 
would have gone to bed hungry a great many times but for 
these identical men, to whom rather a contemptuous name has 
been applied. 

" The title of ' bummers' was given at a very early stage of 
the late campaign to such men as were in the habit of foraging 
on their own account, independent of the regular details made 
for foraging on every day's march. They generally lagged be- 
hind in the camps, until their commands got started on the 
road, when they would go off to the right and le/t, taking by- 



188 HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEB. 

ways and cow paths, and leaving the main road to the main 
array. They generally managed to 'concentrate' before going 
very far, and by the time all the 'detachments' were up, there 
was frequently a very respectable regiment of them. 

" Their first object was to get transportation for their plunder, 
and the first half dozen farm houses they passed were laid under 
contribution for rolling stock and motive power. Not disposed 
to stand on ceremony in such matters, they would willingly 
compromise on a buggy or four horse carriage if no draught 
wagon was at hand ; and would accept of oxen if more lieet- 
footed animals were not attainable. ' They generally managed 
to load their vehicles in a very short time, with a miscellaneous 
cargo of looking glasses, silver spoons, china cups, live pigs 
and chickens, bacon, .corn, butter, eggs, hams, pickled beef, 
and fruit. 

" It must be admitted that they seldom stopped at legitimate 
'forage' for man and beast, and often appropriated what they 
could not use and did not want. 

"On several occasions the ' bummers' found grist mills on 
their route, aftd ran them for a whole day, making cornmeal 
and flour, for want of which the army would otherwise have 
suffered. It was not uncommon for a divison commander to 
receive an 'official dispatch' from a ' bummer' to the effect that 
if he would send wagons to sucli and such a mill, he would 
receive so many hundred weight of cornmeal or flour, and this, 
too, at a time when prospects of a dearth of the article so 
generously proffered were looming up entirely too close for 
comfort. 

"The 'bummers' utterly refuted, by their conduct, the oft 
repeated maxim that soldiers who steal won't fight. Very often 
after wandering fifteen or twenty miles from the main column, 
they foiind themselves confronted by a rebel force more than 
their equals in numerical strength. Instead of beating a hasty 
retreat, as it is commonly supposed such men would do under 
such circumstances, they would immediately choose one of the 
number as their commander, and 'go for the Johnnies' to the 
best of their abilities. If unable to defeat them they would 
erect rude fortifications of rails and logs, and behind these hold 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEH. ISO 

the enemy in check until they were reinforced by General 
Sherman. 

" Not a few of the towns along the march were captnredby 
the 'bummers,' and formally surrendered to .them. On one 
occasion General Howard actually received a dispatch from the 
' bummers' stating that they had captured a town and request- 
ing that a division be sent to occupy it, that they (the bummers) 
might pass on ! Rather cool, to be sure, for the ' bummers' to 
call for a division to take the place of a few hundred scallywags 
like themselves, in order that they might go on conquering and 
to conquer. 

" The ' bummers' proved themselves more valuable in finding 
out the strength and position of the enemy than an}' scouts or 
cavalry ever used for that purpose. They covered both flanks 
of the army, sometimes for a distance of twenty-five miles, and, 
between what they found out from actual observation and what 
they learned from citizens, very few facts connected with the 
strength or position of the enemy could possibly escape their 
knowledge. 

The results of ' bumming' are apparent in every company, 
regiment, brigade, division, and corps in the army. I was im- 
pressed with this fact in a visit to some of the boys in their 
improved dwellings behind the fortifications. At one comfort- 
able little shantv, occupied by ten or twelve privates, I asked 
for a drink of water, and the aqueous fluid was poured from a 
silver pitcher into as fine a wine goblet as ever we need wish 
to use, and which, a few weeks since, was considered good 
enough to grace the lips of South Carolina aristocrats. In an- 
other I found a corporal scanning the pages of 'Shakespeare's 
Heroines,' a costly volume, full of beautiful portraits of the 
eminent 'female characters of English drama. Pie did n't quite 
like the appearance of Cleopatra, and was, as he thought, im- 
proving it by the addition of a moustache from a lead pencil. 
There is scarcely a regiment m the whole army that has not 
horses and buggies, and most of the division and corps head- 
quarters sport barouches and carriages fine enough to elicit 
admiration in front of A. T. Stewart's, on "Broadway. As for 
fine saddle horses, the colonel or general who rides an animal 



190 : HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

without a historical pedigree, and a name intimately connected 
with southern race courses, must be regarded as unpopular, and 
uijder the bann of the bummers, who would scorn to see one 
of their favorites on a common steed. General Blair rides a 
horse that has carried off the premium at half a dozen trotting 
matches, and so of nearly every other commanding officer here. 
A people less disloyal than the citizens of Goklsboro would 
have prepared a race track for the accommodation of the army 
before its arrival here." 

This statement of "Mack" is true in every sense of the word. 
There were as brave men in this consolidation of so-called 
" bummers" as could generally be found in any other body of 
men. I myself am aware that they were called " bummers" 
by a certain officer who was unpopular with the regiment he 
commanded, and so far as I know remains so to this day. 

April 26. — A party in pursuit of the assassin Booth, and his 
accomplices, arrived at the house of Dr. Mudd, on the 18th of 
this mouth, and asked if any strangers had been there, and he 
said no. He denied that two men had been there, one with a 
broken leg. Was informed of the assassination in church, on 
Sunday morning, and appeared uneasy. lie was arrested on 
the 21st, when a boot marked "J. Wilkes Bootli" was found in 
his house. Mrs. Mudd said that the doctor had set the leg of 
its owner at 1 P. M. Dr. Mudd said they came on horseback. 
Mrs. Mudd said they left on foot. 

Jett and two other southerners met Harold and Booth in a 
wagon, near Fauquier, when Harold, thinking they were raising 
a command to go south, said : 

" I would like to go with you. We are the assassins of the 
President." 

These men were shocked to hear this plain confession, yet 
one of them. Lieutenant Ruggles, allowed Booth to ride his 
horse. Booth said he wanted to pass under the name of Boyd. 
They then all went to the house of Mr. Garrett, where Booth 
was left. 

Lieutenant Colonel Conger, Lieutenants Baker and Dougherty 
with a squad of cavalry in pursuit of the assassins, met Jett 
at a hotel, in Bowling Green, and arrested him, as they heard 



HrjMOEOUS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEER. 191 

lie liackcrossed the river -with Booth, which he confessed. lie 
said : 

" I can show you where they are now. They are at Garrett's 
house." 

Garrett's house, three miles from Port Royal, was surrounded/" 
and Lieutenant Baker ordered a light struck in the house, and 
asked Mr. Garrett where the men were who had stopped at his 
house. 

"They have gone in the woods," he answered. 

""^hereabouts in the woods? - I want no stories. Tell me 
where they are." 

^Garrett commenced to repeat the same tale, when Lieutenant 
Baker.,ordered one of the men to bring him a lariat, threatening 
to hang Garrett to a tree, when one of his sons said they were 
in the barn. The barn was surrounded and men were heard 
talking inside of it. Lieutenant Baker ordered them to sur- 
render or the barn would be fired in 'five minutes. Booth 
wanted to know who they were. Lieutenant Colonel Conger 
told Baker not to let him know, as Booth might take them for 
rebels, and they, would take advantage of it,, , Lieutenant Baker 
said: -, , ., _. , ! . ;>^fji "> 

" It makes no difference who we are. You had better come 
out." 

" Here is a man who had nothing to do with it," Booth said, ■ 
and Harold came out. 

Booth not obeying orders used every endeavor to kill as 
many of the party as he possibly could, and would have suc- 
ceeded in taking one or two lives had not Sergeant Boston 
Corbett through a crack in the barn taken aim at Booth, and 
shot him through the head. The assassin only lived a few 
minutes after in the agonies of death, when he ought to have 
suilered days or weeks ere he sank to the fiery abode Satan is 
ruler of. 

Ajon7 26.— This noticable day General Joe Sohnson, of con- 
federate notoriety, discovered the uselessness of prolonging this 
nearly extinguished civil warfare, against Major General Sher- 
man, and surrendered to his "Union army with all the con- 
federates in his, Johnson's, department. 



192 HUMOROUS ADVENT*UBi§ OF A f OtUNlTEEE. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Bragg, Hardee, Rhoddy,'Lyons, 
Forrest, and other rebel leaders had joined Johnston in North 
Carolina, yet he been badly beaten five miles from Fayette- 
ville by Kilpatrick and two divisions under General Slocum at 
Moore's Cross Roads, where they held a strong position between 
Cape Fear and Black rivers; and Averysborough, Goldboro, 
Bentonville, South Edisto, Columbia, Raleigh, Charleston, Sal- 
kehatchie, Selma, and dozens of other places, he held on until 
he saw it was useless to contend any farther against Western 
soldies, who could whip his forces even were they thret' to 
th6ir one in numerical strength, and so he surrendered. 

Jeff Davis was with Johnson previous to this, but just before 
it happened, he secretly left his quarters, and with the princi- 
pals of the secesh government skedaddled. 

"Ye Southern heroes wake to glory, 
Hark, hark, Jeff Davis bids you rise; 
Your dames and grfi«d dames hoary. 
Behold their petty-coat-ed sighs," &c., &c. 

General Sherman's military skill, combined with his accu- 
racy of detailed movements and knowledge of forthcoming 
events, w^ould almost lead one to believe him a real military 
prophet. To show a portion of his accuracy : On the day be- 
fore Sherman moved from Dalton, upon his march through 
Georgia, a member of his staff at headquarters wrote to a 
friend : 

" We go to-morrow. You will hear of us on the coast at 
Christmas." 

He ate his Christmas dinner at Savannah, Georgia. On the 
31st of January, 1865, the same officer wrote to his friend once 
more :. 

" You will hear of us in three weeks on the coast of North 
Carolina." 

On the 22d of February Wilmington was evacuated by the 
rebels, and Sherman's base was established on the coast of 
Carolina. 

In consequence of these national successes the newspapers 
at Richmond represented them all as "blessings in disguise ; " 
and a fortunate event for the rebellion. Granting this, how 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER, 193 

could the secesli obtain their full supplies of arms as hereto- 
fore ? How dispose of cotton from the land where "cotton is 
king?" How pay their internal revenue? But enough it is 
to say, as a gentleman did, not long since : 

" It is not the sword alone that ends every war; it is the 
sense of the power of the sword. That consciousness conquers 
the mind and then the mere muscle relaxes." 

The glorious progress of Sherman led the rebel papers to 
assert that the states through which he passed were abandoned 
to women and children, therefore Sherman's progress was un- 
opposed. Discrepancy betrays falsehood. Johnston, Rhoddy, 
Beauregard, Hardee, Hampton, Lyons, Forrest, and several 
other rebel leaders, with seemingly ample forces to contest tlie 
advance movements of General Sherman, and having a full 
knowledge of the topography of the then war path, failed to 
impede the progress of General Sherman's braves, and no 
wonder these foxes fled when they found a lion in their chosen 
path. 

* 

CAPTURE OF JEFF. DAVIS. 

A brief dispatch from General Wilson, commander of the 
Union cavalry in Georgia, dated May 10, announces the capture 
of Jeff. Davis, with all his private and military family, includ- 
ing Postmaster General Keagan, that day. Other confirmatory 
dispatches followed, among which was the following, giving 
details : 

Macon, Georgia, May 13—9:30 A. M. 
Honorable E. 31. Stanton, Secretary of War : 

Lieutenant Colonel Hardin, commanding the 1st Wisconsin 
cavah-y, has just arrived from Irwinsville. He struck the trail 
of Davis at Dublin, Lawrence county, on the evening of the 
7th, and followed him closely, night and day, tlirougli tlie pine 
wilderness of Alligator creek and Green swamp, via Cumber- 
land, to Irwinsville. At Cumberlandsvillc Colonel Harding 
met Colonel Pritchard with one hundred and fifty picked men 
of the 4th Michigan cavalry. Hardin followed the trail directly 
south, while Pritchard, having fresh liorscs, pushed down the 
Ocmulgce towards Plopewell, and thence, by House creek, to 
13 



104 HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A YOLUNTEEE. 

Irwinsville, arriving there at midnight on the 9th. Davis had 
not arrived. 

From a citizen Pritchard learned that the fugitives were 
camped two miles oat of the town. lie made disposition of 
his men, and surrounded the camp of the rebel chief before 
day. 

Hardin had camped, at 9 P. M., within two miles, as he after- 
ward learned, of Davis and his party. The trail being too in- 
distinct to follow he pushed on at 3 o'clock, and went but little 
more than a mile when his advance was fired on by the 4ih 
Michigan. 

A fight ensued, both parties exhibiting the greatest determ- 
ination. Fifteen minutes elapsed before the mistake was dis- 
covered. The firing in the skirmish was the first warning Jefi". 
Davis received. The captors report that he hastily put on one 
of his wife's dresses and started for the woods closely followed 
by our men, who at first thought him a woman, but seeing his 
boots while he was running, they immediately suspected his 
sex. 

The race was a short one, and the rebel President was soon 
brought to bay. He brandished a bowie knife, and showed 
signs of battle, but yielded promptly to the persuasion of Colt's 
revolvers, evidently preferring not to compel the men to use 
them. 

He expressed great indignation at the energy with which he 
was pursued,. saying that he had thought our government more 
magnanimous than to hunt down women and children. Mrs. 
Davis remarked to Colonel Hardin, after the excitement was 
over, that the men had better not provoke the President, as he 
might hurt somebody. 

Reagan conducted himself with a great deal of dignity and 
resignation. 

Tiie party was evidently making for the coast. 

J. H. WHSON, 
Brevet Major General. 

The history of the world does not record an instance where 
a rebellion of such gigantic proportions, undertaken under 



HUMOKOUS ADVENTUKES OF A VOLUNTEER. 105 

circumstances so favoraljle, witli snch high promise of success 
by vigorous prosecution, with such lofty pretensions to exclu- 
sive military skill of the chivalric order, that so infjloriouBly 
ended as this great southern insurrection. The last act of this 
drama reduces it to an insignilicant farce. Jeff. Davis, M'hose 
boastings have obtained a world-wide renown, and who, eyery 
one thought, would, in any emergenc}', assert the dignity and 
vindicate the chivalric claims of tiie South, when overtaken in 
his flight, literally "melted down in his boots," and endeavored 
to skulk away in petticoats. An act so cowardly has lowered 
him in the estimation of every honorable man so much that 
few, if any, can be fonnd who will speak of him otherwise than 
as one beneath contempt. Now, even his foreign aiders and 
abettors will scorn him, and there will be found none in this 
whole world so poor as to do reverence to this boasting, 
blustering coward. 

He stands forth, a beacon light to warn others of the folly of 
crime, even though the chief actor be, for a time, clothed with 
power, lords it over his fellow men, and lives sumptuously every 
day. Had he loved his country' as a United States senator and 
secretary of war should always do ; had he revered the noble 
constitution which gave him a name witli half the ardor with 
which he sought to trample it in the dust, he would now stand 
as one of the first men in the land. He commenced a glorious 
career which an unholy ambition has brought to an inglorious 
termination. 

JeffeVson Davis was chosen Provisional President of the 
Confederate States February 4, ISGl^ and re-elected in 18G2 for 
the term of six years, not much more than one-half of which 
time he had the power to act. He has been the marplot of 
almost every one of the rebel campaigns, and has done more 
by his obstinacy, envy, jealousy, and malice to destroy the unity 
and effectiveness of his government and its armies than any 
other of its leaders. 

If the Confederacy had possessed a leader less obstinate in 
the pursuit of bad plans, less envious of the fame of his sub- 
ordinates, and less quarrelsome generally, it might have existed 
for a short time longer. 



196 HUMOKOUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEER. 

The first wife of the arch traitor was the daughter of Zaehary 
Taylor. His present wife is Verina Howell, daughter of Gen- 
eral Howell, of New Jersej^ She is still a young woman with 
a family of four children. 

Major General Wilson was born in Illinois in 1840, entered 
West Point as cadet in 1856, graduated fifth in his class June 
oO, 1860, and was appointed brevet second lieutenant topograph- 
ical engineers, and made first lieutenant of his corps in Sep- 
tember of the following year ; conducted reconnoisances up 
Savannah river, and discovered a passage for gunboats drawing 
ten feet, clear of the guns of Fort Pulaski. November 2, 1862, 
was appointed inspector general, and ordered to report to Gen- 
eral Grant, by whom he was assigned to General McPhersou 
as chief ofstafi". Showed skill before Vicksburg and Chatta- 
nooga to such an extent that he was nominated brigadier gen- 
eral of volunteers, to date from October 30, 1863, upon the 
recommendation of Lieutenant General Grant. 

Served under General Sheridan in command of a cavalry 
corps, operating in the vicinity of Pichmond aud Petersburg, 
and was promoted to major general for distinguished services, 
to date from October 5, 1864:. Shortly afterward he was trans- 
ferred to the army of the Cumberland, and was placed in com- 
mand of the cavalry corps. His gallant services at the battle 
of Nashville, and in the routing of Hood's army, will be long 
remembered. Routing Phoddy, Forrest, Lyon, and Chalmers, 
with their combined forces, capturing Selma and Montgomery, 
Alabama, sweeping across Georgia until he reached Savannah, 
all these things will also be remembered by every one knowing- 
it was a portion of his cavalry corps which had the honor of 
putting a climax to the downfall of the rebellion, by capturing 
its prime mover and leader. 

Lieutenant Colonel B. J. Pritchard, commanding the 4th 
Michigan cavaby, has the glory of this crowning act. It is 
unnecessary to repeat here the series of skillful and quickly 
executed movements, under the immediate control of Colonel 
Pritchard, which resulted in Davis's capture. It is hoped this 
satifactory success is but the forerunner of a more definite ter- 
mination of the rebel ex-Presideut's career. 



HUMOEO S ADVENTURES OF A TOLU .i-ER. 197 

In contradiction to all tlicse trnths, an Englisli paper, (the 
London Standard, nsually called "Sairy Gamp," by Punch,) 
lat«]y had an article on the rebellion and Jeff. Davis that was 
quite refreshing. We learn from this that ''the civil war is not 
yet over ;" that "the southerners continue defiant ;" that 'Hlie 
male southerners with blood in their eyes, disdain to take the 
oath of allegiance ;" that "the North is already exhausted and 
unable to continue the war with the Texas rebels;" and that 
"as soon as the military forces are withdrawn the independent 
State governments will spring up, elastic and defiant." There 
is much more to the same effect, and the good Mrs. Gamp re- 
joices at the "disagreeable surprise" its "announcements" will 
cause among " Federal sympathizers." 

The Standard then turns to Mr. Jefferson Davis, and draws 
a glowing picture of the petticoat traitor, in the course of which 
it says : 

" President Davis, we are happy to say, has not yet fallen 
into the hands of the sleuth hounds who have been set npon 
his track. If the worst should befall him, and his escape be 
found impossible, it i>s supposed that he will die fighting, rather 
than»fall into their hands. Such a death of such a man would 
enlist the sympathy of all Europe in the cause of a suffering 
people ; but his life and leadership would be preferred by that 
people to his martyrdom. The spectacle of this heroic leader 
at bay, with his two tliousand followers among the myriads of 
the North, disdaining, while living, to surrender the cause for 
which he has struggled during those terrible four years, is of 
such absorbing interest to the whole civilized world, that all 
political topics pale into insignificance beside it, and the atten- 
tion of mankind is fascinated by it in a long drawn agony of 
mingled hopes and fears." 

One can imagine the mortification t>f the Standard when the 
pittiable condition of the chief, "disdaining to surrender," is 
contrasted with its highly wrought fancies. 

The London Times, another sccesh sympathizing sheet, is m 
the same predicament with the Standard, in regard to mortili- 
cation. 

Just before the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, an English 



188 HUM0E0U8 ADVENTUEES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 

correspondent of the Times, writing to London of the condition 
of afiairs, described in glowing colors the real state of the 
public mind. 

" There is," said he, "croaking and dismay, decrepitude and 
infirmity of purpose and irresolution. Many of the original 
secessionists — the fire-eaters of the New York Tribune — who 
once mocked at Old A^irginia because she was so slow to tread 
the thorny path to which South Carolina lured heron, but who, 
now faint by the way, prattle of 'the best terms that can be ob- 
tained of a magnanimous foe;' while by some lips the ominous 
and once called traitorous word, 'reconstruction,' is audibly 
pronounced." 

On the heels of this our troops entered the city. They found 
a curious confirmation. The result was a feeling in favor of 
peace at any price. 

May 20, 18G5.— Payne, Harold, Atzeroth, Mrs. Surratt, Dr. 
Mudd, Arnold, O'Laughlin, and Spangler, with others of the 
murderous crew who assassinated our noble President and at- 
tempted to kill the secretary of state, are on trial, and will meet 
the fate due all villains who were engaged in this cold blooded 
atrocity. 

Jeff. Davis is safe and secure in Fortress Monroe, where he, 
too, will, sooner or later, meet the fate he so richly deserves — • 
hnprisonment or transportation for life. 

Alexander 11. Stephens, Confederate ex-Vice President, is 
in a similar "fix," but as he is not one-third part as guilty as 
Jeff., it is hoped he will not suffer so lengthy an imprisonment 
as his leader, nor be held in the worthy contempt of every 
honorable minded Union man, as said Jeff. Davis ever ought 
to be while he lives. To Stephens's credit, be it said, he was 
captured honorably, at his own home, in manly attire, and feels 
that Kirby Smith, Wigfall, Flournoy, Marmadukc, Magruder, 
Shelby, Ilindman, and others of sccesh notoriety, at present in 
Mexico, are not in as safe a condition, or as secure an one, as 
himself this day, even in his prison. Why should they feel so ? 
Are not many of them Neroitcs Avho often assisted in the cold 
bleoded murders of captured Union soldiers, and drained our 
noble nation of some of its best blood. Let such tyrants per- 



HUMOROUS ADVENTUEE3 OF A VOLUNTEEE. 190 

isli, as all such inhuman beasts should, in a foreign land where 
no freedom exists. Look out, Maximilian ! We want no new 
majesties in our republican land, for, thanks to our great Cre- 
ator, peace and Union now joins the goddess of liberty, and 
freely illustrates Yankee character on both sides of Mason and 
Dixon's line. 

We have fought "many good fights," and won the largest 
number of victories of any nation on this broad earth. The 
dews of heaven are hardly more plentiful, and wet the soil of 
our land from the northern lakes to the southern gulf, from 
ocean to ocean, with scarcely more verdure than the dews of 
blood drained from the veins of our best beloved. Thousands 
of little mounds mark where they lie, and thousands of unknown 
graves tell the story of their valor and noble sacrifice to their 
country. "All point, like loadstones to the polar star, to the 
nation's progress." 

July 7, 1865. — Yesterday the accomplices of Booth, namely, 
Payne alias Powell, Harold, Atzeroth, and Mrs. Surratt, paid 
the penalty of their deeds in being executed by hanging at 
Washington, District of Columbia, while Arnold, Spangler, 
O'Laughlin, and, last but not least, Dr. Mudd, were sent to the 
Dry Tortugas to spend, as they well deserve, a portion of their 
lives, as accomplices not so deep in crime as the former, yet 
fully deserving the penalties inflicted upon them. 

Mrs. Surratt may not have beea as guilty as is supposed by 
some, but the evidence being so conclusive against her, by re- 
liable witnesses, it was out of the power of tlie military com- 
mission which tried and sentenced her, to do otherwise. If she 
was innocent, as Payne declared before his death, may she rest 
in peace. 

July 31. — The 9th Ohio volunteer cavalry having been or- 
dered to disband, were mustered out of service at Lexington, 
North Carolina, July 20, 18G5, and arrived at Columbus, Ohio, 
where they were to be paid off j^esterday. 

Let the United States ever Xeel proud of such military gen- 
iouses as General U. S. Grant, General W.T. Slierman, General 
Philip Sheridan, General Thomas, General Kilpatrick, General 
Rousseau, General Wilson, General Rosecranse, Generals Pope, 



200 



HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF A VOLUNTEEE. 



McPherson, Lew. Wallace^ McCook, Stoneman, Cox, Dodge 
Schofield, Meade, Terry, Canbj, Logan, and Steadman. 

Add to them the government functionaries who have ably, 
honorably, and successfully used their best exertions to close 
the great rebellion, and my humble work is ended : President 
Abraham Lincoln, President Andrew Johnson, Secretary W. H. 
Seward, Judge Chase, and. several other liigh minded public 
se^-vants not named here. 




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